Former director Chris Columbus has completely shut down the idea of returning to “Harry Potter.”
In a recent interview with The Times in London, Columbus, who directed the first two “Harry Potter” films, said it was “impossible” for him to return to the franchise due to the political uproar caused by creator J.K. Rowling’s controversial views on the trans community.
“It’s never going to happen,” Columbus said when asked about directing another “Harry Potter” film. “It’s all political and very complicated. Everyone in the cast has their own opinions. This is unlike (Rowling’s) opinion, and it’s impossible.”
Columbus explained that he and Rowling would not talk, but added that they are in touch with franchise stars like Daniel Radcliffe.
“I’ve never spoken to Miss Rowling in about 10 years so I don’t know what’s going on with her, but I’ve been in very close contact with Daniel Radcliffe. I spoke with him a few days ago,” he said. “I still have a great relationship with all the kids in the cast.”
This is not the first time Columbus has expressed his indifference to returning to “Harry Potter.” He recently spoke to Variety at the London premiere of Netflix’s “Thursday Murder Club.” The audience saw “my version” and said “nothing remains in the Potter world.”
He also spoke about Rowling’s comments on the trans identity, calling her attitude on the issue “very sad.”
“I like to separate artists from the art from time to time, and I think that’s important,” he says. “That’s a shame, what happened. I certainly don’t agree with what she’s talking about. But it’s just sad, it’s very sad.”
HBO will soon bring the world of wizards to a small screen with a highly anticipated television adaptation from showrunner Francesca Gardiner and director Mark Mylod. HBO Chief Casey Broys told reporters at a press conference last year that Rowling was “very very involved in the process of choosing a writer and director,” but her anti-trans view assures that for the show it “has no impact on the casting or employment of writers or production staff.”
