Harry Potter reunited: Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson and Rupert Grint star in TV special 20 years on from first | News about Ant-Man & Art

The original cast of the Harry Potter franchise including Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson and Rupert Grint will reunite for a TV special 20 years after the first film premiered.

HBO Max says Return to Hogwarts will be released on January 1, 2022 – making for a magical start to the New Year.

The trio will join American filmmaker Chris Columbus to discuss the films and explore more deeply about their creation.

However, the creator of Harry Potter, the author JK Rowling, doesn’t seem to be joining them to hit the milestone. It came after she made some controversial comment about the transgender community last year.

Rowling, 56, has been involved in the production of the films, and Warner Bros. has been very attentive to her wishes – including films shot in the UK with an all-British cast.

The special was announced exactly 20 years after the release of the first film in the US, Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, on November 16, 2001.

HBO Max says fans will be invited “on a magical first-person journey through one of the most beloved series of all time”.

The 52-second trailer showcases clips from several Harry Potter films and promises the “legendary cast” will return “where the magic begins”.

It will also include Helena Bonham Carter, Robbie Coltrane, Ralph Fiennes, Jason Isaacs, Gary Oldman, Imelda Staunton and Tom Felton – all of whom play key characters in the series.

Felton, who plays the linen-haired villain Draco Malfoy, urged fans to save the day as he shared the trailer on Twitter.

He wrote: “Is this school homework? Mark your calendars for New Year’s Day #ReturnToHogwarts, stream on @hbomax x.”

Matt Lewis, who played the unexpected Neville Longbottom in world-famous films, posted: “This New Year’s Day…we’re bringing the band back together.”

Meanwhile, Watson, 31, shared a lengthy post on Instagram promoting the special and 20th anniversary, and said Hermione Granger, who she plays in the film, is “a bad character.” her favorite structure of all time”.

She added: “I’m proud not only of what we as a team have contributed as actors to the franchise but also of the kids who have become young people walking that path. I look at my colleagues now and I am so proud of who you all have become I am proud that we were kind to each other, we supported each other and we organized something meaningful.”

Executive producer Casey Patterson said: “There’s magic in the air here with this incredible cast, as they all return home to the original Hogwarts where they started 20 years ago. .

“The excitement can be felt as they prepare to take their fans on a very special and personal journey, through the making of these incredible films.”

The buzz surrounding the reunion comes as Radcliffe told a BBC documentary, which also marks 20 years since the first film, of his delight that fans watch the Harry Potter film as they do. “hungry and feeling really hungry about myself”.

“The time in most people’s lives when they discover it means it has a very important place in a lot of people’s childhoods and they still feel very protective of it,” the actor said. 32 year old member said.

“One of my favorite fates we could never have imagined for the Harry Potter movies but I’ve been told by some friends that they’re amazing when people are hungover and feel really lustful about yourself.”

He continued: “They would just watch a few movies over and over and it just took them to a place that was warm and comfortable.

“That’s lovely to me. It’s the real-world effect a movie can have on someone’s life. I think that’s cool.”

Radcliffe also paid tribute to Rowling in the documentary, which was part of the Movie With Ali Plumb.

Sky News has reached out to Rowling’s representatives for comment.