Despite the earlier reports, in a new joint statement by Warner Bros. and HBO Max, they deny that there will be a small screen adaptation of Harry Potter, according to The New York Post. Following the release of seven books and eight films, the Harry Potter universe was reportedly set to expand with television series for HBO Max, according to The Hollywood Reporter. The spin-off television series was reportedly to remain within the live-action world and the streaming service was allegedly in the process of holding “conversations with potential writers exploring various ideas that would bring the beloved property to television,” via The Hollywood Reporter.
Regardless, the joint statement released by the streaming service and Warner Bros. stated “There are no Harry Potter series in development at the studio or on the streaming platform,” via The New York Post.
The Harry Potter film franchise has its rights owned by Warner Bros., in addition, to control from the books’ author in J.K. Rowling. Despite the reported talks revolving around writers and pitches for a series, there has never been a deal placed and the joint statement has denied this. While Harry Potter remains with Warner Bros. for distribution, the story world still carries the final say from Rowling for anything and everything that is made of the popular characters and future projects.
Harry Potter is a fantasy novel series by Rowling that centers on the Wizarding World and the plight of the titular young student at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry who happens to a part of a prophecy to fight the dark wizard of Lord Voldemort. The seven novels were quickly adapted into a film franchise with Daniel Radcliffe (The Woman in Black) portraying the titular character along with newcomers Rupert Grint (Sick Note) and Emma Watson (The Perks of Being a Wallflower) to portray his best friends Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger, respectively.