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Christopher Columbus, the filmmaker who first brought 'Harry Potter' to the big screen, isn't entirely sold on HBO’s upcoming TV reboot—at least when it comes to Hagrid’s look.
The new series, which has officially begun production, is offering fans their first glimpses of reimagined versions of J.K. Rowling's iconic characters. Nick Frost will take on the role of Rubeus Hagrid, but Columbus couldn’t help noticing that the half-giant’s outfit looks a little too familiar.
What is Christopher Columbus Saying About The New Look?
During a discussion on 'The Rest Is Entertainment' podcast, the director revealed that the updated look immediately struck him as oddly familiar. As he studied the photos, he noticed the character seemed to be dressed in nearly the exact costume created for Hagrid, which left him wondering why the change was necessary at all.
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Although he felt let down by the lack of fresh ideas, Christopher Columbus admitted there was also something gratifying about it. To him, it confirmed that the team had perfected Hagrid’s appearance with Robbie Coltrane from the start, since the outfit being used now was essentially the same one they had originally designed.
Coltrane, who played Hagrid across all eight films, remains one of the franchise's most beloved figures. Columbus—who directed 'The Sorcerer's Stone' (2001) and 'The Chamber of Secrets' (2002), and produced 'The Prisoner of Azkaban' (2004)—said the repetition leaves him with mixed feelings.
The original 'Harry Potter' films went on to gross more than $7 billion worldwide, spawned a Broadway sequel, and launched the 'Fantastic Beasts' prequels. Now, the story is being reimagined for television under Succession creatives Francesca Gardiner and Mark Mylod.
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Image Courtesy: SplashNews/Instagram
When asked whether he feels envious of the series's longer format, Christopher Columbus was clear: "Jealous? No. It’s time to move on. I’m proud of the first three films I worked on, but I’ve done my part."
Christopher Columbus acknowledged one advantage the HBO team has: the ability to adapt the books with greater detail. He recalled how the films had to cut characters, including the mischievous poltergeist Peeves, due to time constraints. Whether Peeves finally makes his on-screen debut remains to be seen.
