Sources told The Hollywood Reporter that executives had a series of meetings with writers to bring the successful franchise to television.
Accio, Harry Potter writers.
AN Harry Potter The live-action TV series is under initial development at HBO Max. Sources count The Hollywood Reporter that executives from the WarnerMedia-backed streamer have engaged in several conversations with potential writers exploring various ideas that would bring beloved property to television. Sources say that general ideas were discussed as part of the early stage exploratory meetings.
While it is new that HBO executives, Max and Warners are involved in meetings to find a writer and present a Harry Potter In the TV series, no writer or talent is currently associated, as the talks are still in the extremely early stages and no deal has been made. “There is not Harry Potter series in development in the studio or on the streaming platform “, reaffirmed HBO Max and Warner Bros. in a statement to THR.
Expanding the world of Harry Potter remains a top priority for HBO Max and Warner Bros., which together with creator JK Rowling, controls property rights. Harry Potter is one of Warners’ most valuable pieces of intellectual property. (It is also important to note that, although Harry Potter remains a beloved franchise, Rowling provoked a reaction from the trans community after saying that transgender individuals should be defined by their biological sex.)
News that negotiations are underway for a Harry Potter The TV series should come as no surprise, given the franchise’s value to Warner Bros. Rowling’s seven-book series has been adapted as eight films that have grossed more than $ 7 billion worldwide. Warners also has the Fantastic animals prequel series of films, with the third set to open next year and two more are likely to come later.
Plans for a Harry Potter TV series should be seen as a legitimate extension of ownership at a time when WarnerMedia (like other conglomerates) is prioritizing its streaming service. HBO Max was launched last year and is home to all of the company’s most valuable intellectual property. The platform is home to the streaming of DC Comics films, with several spinoffs and TV originals already underway. The streamer is also home to the mega-hit Friends (with a meeting planned to shoot in March for service), War of Thrones and all HBO originals, including Sex and the City. The latter has recently been revived with three of its original stars returning to a new TV series, while HBO Max leans on its IP to become a mandatory subscription service. (It is also important to note that HBO is building its War of Thrones arsenal with several other ongoing projects, all of which would eventually live on HBO Max.)
O Harry Potter the franchise has complicated rights issues. Rowling controls the franchise and has a say in everything that involves ownership. NBCUniversal in 2016 signed a rich seven-year rights contract with Warner Bros. Domestic TV Distribution which included broadcast, cable and streaming rights in the USA for the Wizarding World franchise. This deal, which ends in April 2025, included digital initiatives, as well as theme park content and events. The pact also meant that Warners executives had to make a side deal that Harry Potter resources to broadcast briefly on HBO Max when the service launched last May. The films left service after three months and will return to the newly released NBCUniversal streamer, Peacock, on a date to be set later this year.