For a generation, the world of Harry Potter on screen was defined by Chris Columbus.
As the director who brought the first two books to life, his visual style, his casting choices, and even his costume designs became the gold standard for what Hogwarts and its magical inhabitants looked like. So when HBO announced a big-budget, book-for-book TV series reboot, fans and critics alike wondered what Columbus thought of the move.
Now, we have our answer… and it’s a complicated one.
In a recent appearance on “The Rest Is Entertainment” podcast, Columbus revealed that seeing the first set photos of Nick Frost as Hagrid gave him a profound sense of déjà vu. The reason? The costume was an “exact same” replica of the one he designed for the late, great Robbie Coltrane.
“Part of me was like: What’s the point?” Columbus said, admitting that he expected a fresh take on the classic looks. “I thought the costumes and everything was going to be different, but it’s more of the same. It’s all going to be the same.”
It’s a bold statement from the man who first brought Hagrid to life, and it raises a question at the heart of the new series: how do you innovate on an icon?
Flattery and Farewell
Despite his initial reaction, Columbus made it clear that his comments aren’t coming from a place of jealousy or bitterness. On the contrary, he finds the continuity “flattering” and expresses a genuine excitement for the series.
“It’s exactly the Hagrid costume that we designed,” he added. “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.”
The veteran director, who is also known for classics like Home Alone and Mrs. Doubtfire, has always been hesitant to revisit his past work. He’s made it clear he has no interest in being involved with the HBO show, telling Variety he has “done it” and there’s “nothing left for me to do in the world of Potter.” For Columbus, it’s simply time to move on.
The feeling of “bizarre” nostalgia is personal, too. Columbus recently ran into Nick Frost himself and shared his feelings, telling the new Hagrid actor, “You have to understand, Robbie Coltrane and I were so close.”
What the New Hagrid Is Saying
So, what about the man in the familiar coat? Nick Frost is well aware of the legacy he is inheriting. He has praised Robbie Coltrane’s iconic performance and has promised fans that he’s not trying to create a carbon copy.
“I’m going to try and do something, not ‘different,’ I think you have to be respectful to the subject matter, but within that, there’s scope for minutia,” Frost told Collider. He plans to lean into a side of Hagrid the films had to gloss over, describing the character as a “lovely, lost, violent, funny, warm child.” With one full season dedicated to each book, Frost will have the time to explore this complexity, providing a deeper, more nuanced portrayal.
The Opportunity to Tell the Full Story
While the visual similarities might be a bit jarring for Columbus, he acknowledges the biggest advantage the HBO series has over the films: time. He’s excited that the long-form television format will allow the show to include moments and characters that he was forced to cut due to time constraints, like the mischievous poltergeist Peeves.
“The great thing about it is that with the first and second and third book, we wanted to do it all,” Columbus told Variety. “We wanted to bring all of that onto the screen, and we didn’t have the opportunity. So for me, [the show] is an opportunity to bring all those scenes to life.”
HBO’s Harry Potter series is now in production with an expected debut sometime in 2027. Whether it’s a tribute or an evolution, it’s clear the new series is walking a fine line between honoring the past and forging its own future—a tightrope walk that even a director who has seen it all is watching with a mix of excitement and déjà vu.
