The first Harry Potter book was published in the year 1997 and it was in 2001 that Harry Potter graced big screens for the first time. Since then years have gone by, but fans (who proudly call themselves Potterheads) have never gotten over the magic brought to them by J. K. Rowling about the boy who lived.
On the occasion of its 20th anniversary, the cast of the show is reuniting to bring something very special for their fans and it is time fans shower them with the same love too. The special celebration is being called, “Harry Potter 20th Anniversary: Return to Hogwarts” which will premiere on HBO Max.
Now, you must be wondering what will the reunion be about? Who all will be a part of it? Is there something else brewing too? Let us answer all these questions one by one. Accio Potterheads!
Harry Potter 20th Anniversary Premiere Date & Where to watch?
The reunion is titled Return to Hogwarts and will premiere on 1st January 2022 on HBO Max. For Potterheads, it is the best new year gift they could have asked for. So those who don’t have an HBO Max subscription can grab theirs before the special show premieres. If it follows the trend of FRIENDS: Reunion broadcast, then it will be available at 12:00 AM PT/3:00 AM ET on HBO Max.
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Since HBO Max is not available in all the countries so the overseas fans where HBO Max isn’t available will have to wait for a few months to watch this reunion. HBO has entered into a deal with TBS and Cartoon Network to broadcast the reunion ahead of the release of Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore. This means we will be able to watch the special show before April 8, which is the date for the worldwide release of the movie.
Return to Hogwarts will air on New Year’s Day on Sky and NOW networks as well.
Harry Potter Reunion streaming in India
As expected HBO has followed the same path as it did with FRIENDS Reunion as Amazon Prime Video on Tuesday announced that the Harry Potter Reunion Special will stream exclusively on its OTT platform from January 1.
The Twitter handle of Amazon Prime Video shared a poster of the special featuring the main cast. The caption read, “A moment 20 years in the making. Harry Potter 20th Anniversary: #ReturnToHogwarts watch on Jan 1 with us!”
Who all are Returning to Hogwarts?
The lead trio of Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, and Rupert Grint are coming to Hogwarts for the reunion without a doubt. Apart from them, fans might be able to see the following cast and crew at the anniversary celebrations-
- Helena Bonham Carter (Bellatrix)
- Robbie Coltrane (Hagrid)
- Ralph Fiennes (Voldemort)
- Gary Oldman (Sirius Black) He’s my favorite mind you!
- Imelda Staunton (Dolores Umbridge)
- Tom Felton (Draco)
- James Phelps (Fred Weasley)
- Oliver Phelps (George Weasley)
- Mark Williams (Arthur Weasley)
- Bonnie Wright (Ginny Weasley)
- Alfred Enoch (Dean Thomas)
- Matthew Lewis (Neville)
- Evanna Lynch (Luna)
- Director Christopher Columbus
The cast will give exclusive interviews and recreate some scenes such as the Yule Ball and boarding the Hogwarts Express. Filming is taking place in Warner Brother’s Studio Tour in London, which has Diagon Alley, The Great Hall, Platform 9 ¾, and the forbidden forest. A Quidditch match is also expected.
Harry Potter 20th Anniversary: Return to Hogwarts Trailer
The first teaser was released on December 7 which showed various cast members getting their invite for the reunion event, Emma Watson reading the Daily Prophet and strolling on Platform 9 ¾ to board Hogwarts Express, and more.
Now a 90-second long trailer has been released which gives us a little detailed insight about what to expect.
“Think of a powerful memory. Make it the happiest you can remember,” Daniel Radcliffe says at the beginning of the trailer, as we see our Harry Potter walking through the Diagon Alley and Emma Watson too taking a trip on Platform 9 3/4 and smiling to herself. “It feels like no time has passed and loads of time has passed,” Hermoine continues as she hugs fellow friends after years. “I think it is the perfect time to sit down with everyone and reminisce,” Rupert adds in an interview elsewhere.
The trailer gives us a glimpse of Neville, Luna, Ginny, Fred and George, Bellatrix, and Sirius Black too. Ralph Fiennes who played Voldemort talks about how his family pushed him to take that part while Grint says, “It’s a strong bond that we’ll always have. We are family. And we’ll always be a part of each other’s life.”
Is J.K. Rowling missing from Reunion?
It was quite a surprise when J.K. Rowling’s name was nowhere seen in the description or news related to the reunion. She is the creator, the person who brought these characters to life, but now it seems she doesn’t want to be a part of this reunion.
The most significant reason behind this can also be the controversy she got involved in when she liked some transphobic comments on social media, which led to people questioning her mentality. Rumors state that the cast has also loosened ties with her after the incident and thus she isn’t included in the reunion.
What to expect from the anniversary special show?
The 20th-anniversary celebrations won’t be a regular Harry Potter Movie like we have seen. It looks like HBO might follow FRIENDS reunion way and give a 1-2 hour reunion special which consists of exclusive interviews, a recreation of some scenes, and loads of nostalgia.
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Earlier director Chris Columbus expressed interest in directing Harry Potter and the Cursed Child with the original trio. However, nothing has materialized on this front.
For now, Potterheads, brace yourself to relive the magical world of Hogwarts yet again, take out your magic wands and log in to HBO Max at New Year’s midnight to stream ‘Harry Potter 20th Anniversary: Return to Hogwarts’.
