Chris Columbus, who directed Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone and Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, says HBO’s upcoming TV adaptation is “a spectacular idea” precisely because it can do what movies can’t: take its time.
Columbus noted that even with long runtimes, the films were still limited in how much of J.K. Rowling’s sprawling books they could realistically fit on screen.
That’s why the filmmaker is enthusiastic about the series format. With multiple episodes devoted to each book, Columbus said the show has the “leisure” to include scenes and story beats that were cut from the films—material he believes fans will be excited to finally see realized.
Columbus also weighed in on a fan obsession that’s already taken on a life of its own: Voldemort casting. Asked about the popular online fancast of Irish actor Cillian Murphy as the Dark Lord, Columbus said Murphy—one of his favorite actors—would be “amazing.”
The endorsement gained extra attention because Ralph Fiennes, who played Voldemort in the films, has also publicly backed the idea, calling it a “wonderful” suggestion and saying he’d be in favor of Murphy taking the role.
Still, the rumor mill has cooled more recently: Murphy has since shut down the speculation, saying he doesn’t know anything about being cast and signaling he isn’t attached to the project. With the series still in active development and casting continuing, no Voldemort decision has been announced publicly.
