Harry Potter TV remake that's expected to drop in 2026.

In an interview with Empire magazine, the director opened up on the approach he felt the TV show could take to adapt the series, and how this might differ from the movies. Columbus discussed how the show would have the opportunity to explore characters that he simply wasn't able to fit into the movies and speculated that the show would either have to embrace the style of the movies or develop its own unique style to separate it. Check out his full comments below:

Look, I wish them luck. With the TV series, you have the opportunity to basically film the entire book. So that's exciting. They can get into things that we could never get into - [like] the character of Peeves, who we tried to put in the first film. They've got a bit of a challenge, I think.

There's a certain stylistic quality to those films you either have to depart [from] or you have to embrace. Do they completely rethink the look of Hogwarts? Do they use the John Williams theme? I don't know how you do that. But I look forward to seeing it.

What These Comments Could Mean For The Harry Potter TV Show

The Series Will Seek To Respect The Films Whilst Being Its Own Entity Too

Columbus's comments shine a light on how the Harry Potter TV remake differs from the movies and the sort of direction the series could take when it comes to adapting the story. While the show will look to respect the legacy of the movies, it's important to understand that it will be an adaptation of the novels. However, one of the key elements of the films was their stylistic nature, and it will be important for the show to find a style that fits with the franchise, as well as standing on its own.

Some of the iconic elements of the Harry Potter film franchise, such as the theme song, Hogwarts castle, and even some of the casting choices, will need to be carefully thought out in regard to the TV format. As Columbus states, the TV series will allow HBO to adapt the entirety of the books, which could make for a more immersive and long-form experience for viewers, and the style of the show will play a huge role in this. Furthermore, this means that plot points and characters removed from the movies will have a chance to materialize on the screen due to the show's longer runtime.

Our Verdict On The Approach The Harry Potter TV Show Will Take

Long-Form Storytelling & Rowling's Involvement Bodes Well For The Show

There are many factors the Harry Potter TV show will need to get right, and the long-form nature of TV shows provides a storytelling platform that allows for a rich exploration of the source material. Furthermore, Rowling's involvement bodes well for the creative steps the show will look to take and should appease Potterheads who will be hoping for an adaptation as faithful and skilled as the movies. The Harry Potter TV show will be hard-pressed to achieve the legacy of Columbus's movies, but HBO will be optimistic about its chances.

Source: Empire