‘Harry Potter 20th Anniversary: Return to Hogwarts’ airs January 1 on HBO Max
(Harry Potter Cast, then and now, Image credits: Twitter)
Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson and Rupert Grint join filmmaker Chris Columbus and other cast members across all eight Harry Potter films as they travel back to Hogwarts for the first time to celebrate the anniversary of the franchise’s first film, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, which premiered 20 years ago this past November 16. The retrospective special “Harry Potter 20th Anniversary: Return to Hogwarts” will tell the making-of story through new in-depth interviews and cast conversations, inviting us all on a first-person journey through one of the most beloved film franchises of all time.
The highly-anticipated retrospective will be dropping as the clock strikes midnight on New Year’s Day, January 1, on HBO Max. The special will also debut on TBS and Cartoon Network in spring 2022 ahead of the Warner Bros. Pictures theatrical debut of Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore – and will roll out globally with more details to come.
Alumni of the film franchise will join the memorable tribute, including Helena Bonham Carter, Robbie Coltrane, Ralph Fiennes, Jason Isaacs, Gary Oldman, Imelda Staunton, Tom Felton, James Phelps, Oliver Phelps, Mark Williams, Bonnie Wright, Alfred Enoch, Matthew Lewis, Evanna Lynch, and Ian Hart, among others.
“Harry Potter 20th Anniversary: Return to Hogwarts” will honor the magic behind the making of the films and the beautiful family created at Warner Bros. Studios London two decades ago. It will also celebrate the unparalleled legacy of the Harry Potter film franchise and its indelible impact on the hearts, minds, and imaginations of families and fans around the world.
And although much of the Harry Potter cast will be reuniting to celebrate the franchise’s 20th anniversary, J.K. Rowling, the creator and author of the Harry Potter successful series of books, will not be joining them. Speculation for her non-appearance centers around Rowling being criticized by fans and cast members for comments that some have characterized as transphobic, according to news reports.
But while the author J.K. Rowling, who created the “Harry Potter” universe in 1997 with her debut novel, “Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone,” will be featured in archival footage, she will not join the cast for the special, NPR reported.
“It has been an incredible journey since the debut of the Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone film, and witnessing how it has evolved into this remarkable interconnected universe has been magical to say the least,” said Tom Ascheim, President, Warner Bros. Global Kids, Young Adults and Classics. “This retrospective is a tribute to everyone whose lives were touched by this cultural phenomenon—from the talented cast and crew who poured their heart and soul into this extraordinary film franchise to the passionate fans who continue to keep the Wizarding World spirit alive 20 years later.”
An exclusive first look at the special will debut during the premiere of “Harry Potter: Hogwarts Tournament of Houses” on November 28 on TBS and Cartoon Network. The bracket-style quiz competition, hosted by Helen Mirren, will feature fans competing to take home the Tournament of Houses championship trophy and will feature magical cameos by Harry Potter film alumni Tom Felton, Simon Fisher-Becker, Shirley Henderson and Luke Youngblood, as well as superfans Pete Davidson and Jay Leno. The epic, four-part competition event will also begin streaming on HBO Max on January 1.
Catch the official teaser for “Harry Potter 20th Anniversary: Return to Hogwarts” below.
(Source: HBO Max)
Posted by Richard Webster, Ace News Today / Follow Richard on Facebook and Twitter
