Chris Columbus has said pictures of Hagrid from the set of HBO’s Harry Potter series have left him wondering why J.K. Rowling’s books are being adapted again.
Columbus was central to establishing the hit movie series after directing Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone and Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets with a cast including Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, and Emma Watson.
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Appearing on The Rest Is Entertainment podcast, Columbus said he was somewhat baffled by the HBO TV series remake, which is currently shooting in the UK.
The Home Alone helmer said he had seen unofficial photos of the HBO series filming in London and was struck by how similar Rubeus Hagrid’s costume and body double were to those used for Robbie Coltrane. Hagrid is played by Nick Frost in the TV series.
“So, I’m seeing these photographs … and he’s wearing the exact same costume that we designed for Hagrid. Part of me was like: What’s the point?” Columbus said. “I thought everything was going to be different, but it’s more of the same. It’s all going to be the same.”
He continued: “It’s very flattering for me, because I’m like, that’s exactly the Hagrid costume that we designed. So, part of it is really exciting, so I’m excited to see what they’re going to do with it. Part of it is sort of deja vu all over again.”
Columbus, who recently described Rowling’s transgender views as “very sad,” added that he was not envious that HBO would be able to adapt the Harry Potter books on a bigger canvas than the movies.
“Jealous? No,” he said. “It’s time to move on. I’ve always had issues with [the] idea of franchise. I feel like I’ve done it … I’m really proud of those films, the first three that I was involved with, and I’m moving on.”
Columbus is currently promoting Netflix movie The Thursday Murder Club, which is based on the books of Richard Osman. Osman also hosts The Rest Is Entertainment podcast.
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