Harry Potter Reunion Dreams Crushed as Rowling Feud Erupts Again
In the early 2000s, the world was introduced to a trio of young actors who would forever be tied to a single magical franchise. Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, and Rupert Grint stepped into the roles of Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, and Ron Weasley, and with them came an explosion of popularity that has endured for decades.
Their journey, along with the directors, writers, and crew that brought J.K. Rowling’s books to life, created a phenomenon that defined a generation of filmgoers. The story of how a relatively unknown writer and a group of new child actors transformed into cultural icons is one of those rare Hollywood tales where fiction and reality seem inseparably linked.
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As the years have passed since the release of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 in 2011, the wizarding world has remained a fixture in global pop culture. Theme parks, merchandise, stage productions, and even new series continue to pull fans back into Hogwarts. Yet, while the magic on screen and in merchandise has endured, the relationships behind the scenes have shifted dramatically.
What once seemed like an unbreakable bond between author and cast has turned into a subject of constant public speculation and, more recently, outright estrangement.
It was once common knowledge that Radcliffe, Watson, and Grint deeply valued the opportunities Rowling’s writing afforded them. They spoke fondly of her influence, and the collaborative spirit between the author and the young cast appeared genuine.
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But in recent years, much of that closeness has faded. After all three actors publicly condemned Rowling’s extreme transphobia, a sharp divide emerged. The author herself has spoken harshly about the actors, and her public comments about them often carry negative undertones. What was once a shared journey between friends and collaborators has fractured into something far more complicated.
Few people are more aware of this tension than director Chris Columbus, who helmed the first two films of the franchise, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone (2001) and Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (2002). Columbus was instrumental in shaping the tone of the series, and he built long-lasting relationships with many members of the cast.
In a recent interview with The Times U.K., he admitted that the possibility of a reunion is not only unlikely but completely out of the question.
“It’s never going to happen. It’s gotten so complicated with all the political stuff. Everyone in the cast has their own opinion, which is different from her opinion, which makes it impossible.”
Columbus revealed that he has not spoken to Rowling in more than a decade and shared his personal view of her public statements, calling them “sad.”
“I haven’t spoken to Miss Rowling in a decade or so, so I have no idea what’s going on with her, but I keep very close contact with Daniel Radcliffe and I just spoke to him a few days ago. I still have a great relationship with all the kids in the cast.”
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Not long after his comments were published, Rowling issued her own response on social media, refusing to mention Columbus by name but making her feelings unmistakably clear.
She shared a lengthy post in which she defended her views on gender and sex, while also suggesting that those who expressed sadness about her opinions were motivated by something else entirely.
“As another man who once worked with me declares himself saddened by my beliefs on gender and sex, I thought it might be useful to compile a list for handy reference. Which of the following do you imagine makes actors and directors who aren’t involved with the HBO reboot of Harry Potter so miserable?”
Her remarks quickly gained attention, and in a separate comment, she went even further by labeling him a “weak man.”
“Nothing upsets a weak man more than a woman who makes him feel his cowardice. This is as true of supposed iconoclasts who live in terror of losing the approval of the in-crowd as it is of domestic abusers.”
As another man who once worked with me declares himself saddened by my beliefs on gender and sex, I thought it might be useful to compile a list for handy reference. Which of the following do you imagine makes actors and directors who aren’t involved with the HBO reboot of Harry…
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) September 1, 2025
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Despite her insinuations, Columbus has not expressed frustration at being excluded from the current HBO reboot. On the contrary, when asked about the new series, he struck a more reflective tone.
“I’m anxious to see what they do. But from what I’ve seen already they’re basically doing the same thing we did, only [because they have eight episodes] they get to do more of it.”
“You have to understand that when Richard Harris passed away and Michael Gambon took over as Dumbledore that transition, even back then, was difficult for me. So now it’s difficult imagining anyone else in these roles. I still see Alan Rickman, and I still see Maggie Smith and Robbie Coltrane. It’s part of my DNA and I can’t get beyond it.”
Rowling, meanwhile, continues to be involved with the new HBO series as an executive producer. Despite backlash from fans and controversy surrounding her beliefs, HBO has stood by its decision to keep her attached to the project. The reboot, which is set to stretch across ten seasons and take a deeper dive into the books than the original films could, has already revealed its new leading cast.
Dominic McLaughlin will play Harry Potter, Arabella Stanton will step into the role of Hermione Granger, and Alastair Stout has been cast as Ron Weasley. The series is currently filming in the U.K. and is expected to premiere in early 2027.
Would you love to see a Harry Potter reunion? Do you think the original stars and creative team should celebrate their legacy together without J.K. Rowling, or do you believe the upcoming series will become the definitive version for new fans? Share your thoughts with us in the comments and join the conversation about the past, present, and future of the wizarding world.
