HBO Max’s upcoming 20th Anniversary Special for the Harry Potter franchise, Return to Hogwarts, is set to feature the series’ cast.
The Harry Potter franchise hasn’t exactly had the best time over the past few years. Between series creator J.K. Rowling’s transphobic views, the lackluster performance of Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald, and the situation regarding Johnny Depp, the series lacks the immaculate status that it once held. This, however, has not stopped Warner Bros from moving forward with a set of new specials for HBO Max.
Earlier this year it was revealed that Warner Bros was developing two new specials for the Harry Potter franchise for HBO Max. One would involve a trivia show while another would take the form of a retrospective anniversary special. For some time it was unclear as to whether or not this special would feature the main cast. Now we know the name of the special, when it will be released and who will be in it.
According to several news outlets including Variety, the new special will be titled Harry Potter: 20th Anniversary Return to Hogwarts. Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, and Emma Watson will be featured in the special alongside the series first director Chris Columbus. Other cast members including Helena Bonham Carter, Robbie Coltrane, Ralph Fiennes, Jason Isaacs, Gary Oldman, Imelda Staunton, Tom Felton, James Phelps, Oliver Phelps, Mark Williams, Bonnie Wright, Alfred Enoch, Matthew Lewis, Evanna Lynch, and Ian Hart are also set to appear in the special. Writer J.K. Rowling, however, has not been listed as part of the special. It is set to premiere on HBO Max on New Year’s Day, Jan. 1, 2022. It will later air on Cartoon Network and TBS in the spring of 2022.
Here is the official synopsis for Warner Bros.’ Harry Potter prequel spin-off film, Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald:
“At the end of the first film, the powerful dark wizard Gellert Grindelwald was captured by MACUSA (Magical Congress of the United States of America), with the help of Newt Scamander. But, making good on his threat, Grindelwald escaped custody and has set about gathering followers, most unsuspecting of his true agenda: to raise wizards and witches up to rule over all non-magical beings.”
Directed by David Yates from a script written by J. K. Rowling, the second film stars Eddie Redmayne, Katherine Waterston, Dan Fogler, Alison Sudol, Ezra Miller, Zoë Kravitz, Callum Turner, Claudia Kim, William Nadylam, Kevin Guthrie, Jude Law, and Johnny Depp.
Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore is currently scheduled for an April 15, 2022 release. Stay tuned for all the latest news regarding the Harry Potter franchise and be sure to subscribe to Heroic Hollywood’s YouTube channel for more original video content.
Source: Variety
