Hamilton Journal News

‘Harry Potter’ stars to reunite for HBO Max special

- By Karu F. Daniels New York Daily News

Although they’re all grown up now, Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint and Emma Watson are returning to Hogwarts for a special occasion.

To celebrate the 20th anniversar­y of the first “Harry Potter” film, the actors who were immortaliz­ed as Harry Potter, Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger are going back to school for an HBO

Max special.

On Dec. 1, “Harry Potter 20th Anniversar­y: Return to Hogwarts” will launch on the streaming platform, that it promises “will tell an enchanting making-of story through all-new in-depth interviews and cast conversati­ons, inviting fans on a magical first-person journey through one of the most beloved film franchises of all time.”

The special will feature interviews with cast members from the eight “Harry Potter” movies, including Ralph Fiennes (Voldemort), Helena Bonham Carter (Bellatrix Lestrange), Robbie Coltrane (Hagrid), Gary Oldman (Sirius Black), Imelda Staunton (Dolores Umbridge), Tom Felton (Draco Malfoy) and the first two films’ director Christophe­r Columbus.

According to HBO Max, the event will be the first time they’ve reunited for such a project since the final film premiered in 2011.

And while J.K. Rowling will be featured in archived footage, the “Harry Potter” universe creator will not be appearing for the special, a source close to the production reportedly confirmed.

In recent years, the best-selling British author has drawn ire for her aligning herself with transphobi­c ideology and anti-transgende­r remarks on Twitter.

Radcliffe and Watson have publicly condemned Rowling’s comments, which have divided the fan base and alienated many readers.

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