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First things first — just say this to yourself out loud real quick: “It’s been two decades since the first Harry Potter movie came out.” 20 years! If you’re a millennial like me, that’s a huge demarcation of how old you were, especially considering that I — probably like many of you — remember being an 8-year-old kid with a crush on Hermione. Now I’m a 28-year-old man with a crush on Emma Watson. The more things change, the more they stay the same. At least that’s what they tell me. I could probably write an entire article about people losing their shit over how long Harry Potter has been in our lives, but this facet of the story is far more interesting.
In celebration of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer Stone‘s 20th anniversary, HBO Max announced a special event — Harry Potter 20th Anniversary: Return to Hogwarts — that will feature a reunion of the main cast for the first time ever. The main trio of Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, and Emma Watson will be there, as will the various stars such as Gary Oldman (Sirius Black) and Ralph Fiennes (Voldemort) that helped bring the series to life. One person that won’t be featured, though? Harry Potter creator and author J.K. Rowling.
Sources close to the project note that the retrospective will focus on the creation of the film and the central cast/team. Rowling will, however, be featured in archival footage. She will not make a new appearance in the special. [via The Hollywood Reporter]
Naturally, this elicited reactions from both sides of the J.K. Rowling argument, who has caused a stir in recent years with her opinions about sections of the LGBTQ community.
https://twitter.com/PostCredPod/status/1460677714843684867
Rowling making an ass of herself the last couple years has absolutely destroyed my interest in a franchise I used to LOVE. A damn, damn shame. https://t.co/5ed9EXKoks
— Jake (@AtomicSonic) November 16, 2021
J K Rowling https://t.co/KNl5W2nVNZ
— İlke (@03ilke) November 16, 2021
It doesn’t get more #Woke than this https://t.co/D5QDzgdYcP
— Chuck Taylor (@BoozeBlogsChuck) November 16, 2021
https://twitter.com/AriRELK/status/1460697089495736326
She gonna be laughing all the way to the bank so… Did woke/cancel culture really get her? https://t.co/RfVF04fCUU
— Radyo 👽 (@The_Radyo) November 16, 2021
For those wondering, J.K. Rowling’s only mention in the press release is in the “About Wizarding World” section at the bottom, in the midst of the other “About” sections for HBO Max and others. pic.twitter.com/F6NA1Ilnmu
— Eric Goldman (@TheEricGoldman) November 16, 2021
Live look at JK Rowling: https://t.co/JMkzl7JyMD pic.twitter.com/Q9Ltgidomm
— 👑 (@t_king____) November 16, 2021
Harry Potter 20th Anniversary: Return to Hogwarts will hit HBO Max on New Year’s Day.
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