A new Harry Potter series is reportedly being discussed at HBO Max, but how can a show set in the Wizarding World avoid the mistakes of the Fantastic Beasts films? The Potter-verse has clearly experienced something of stumbling block in recent years, a surprising turn of events for a franchise inspired by J.K. Rowling's immensely popular book series, the final of which was published in 2007. While Warner Bros.' first eight films adapted from the novels were massively successful, the Fantastic Beasts prequel series has been relatively disappointing.
In fact, Warner Bros' most recent venture into the Wizarding World, Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald, underperformed in terms of the box office, profiting less money than any other film in the series. The second entry in a supposed five-film Fantastic Beasts saga, The Crimes of Gridelwald, drew skepticism from fans and critics, alike, who pointed to a confusing and overly-complicated narrative. Additionally, the series has been plagued with its share of off-screen controversy, particularly with Rowling (the screenwriter of the first two prequels) who has been roundly criticized for her transphobic remarks published on social media. Actor Johnny Depp was also asked to resign from the role of Grindelwald following the loss of a defamation lawsuit against UK tabloid The Sun in the wake of domestic abuse allegations.
Clearly the franchise is in need of finding its footing and rumors of a potential series show just how dire that need may be (Rowling herself has famously said that a Potter television series would never happen). However, considering the growing viability of streaming platforms and the sheer amount of competition that will likely face Warner Bros. in the coming years, perhaps a collaboration with HBO Max will be the studio's best chance at course-correcting the Wizarding World franchise. Here's a breakdown of some items surely to be on the creators' minds as discussions of a new Harry Potter spinoff continue.
What Went Wrong With Fantastic Beasts' Story
Released in 2016, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them introduced fans to magizoologist Newt Scamander and a colorful cast of characters, setting much of the action in 1920s New York City. The film was a fun romp and a worthy enough excuse to return to the Wizarding World, albeit one which didn't boast the box office returns seen with the Harry Potter eight-film series. The sequel, The Crimes of Gridelwald, was met with far less excitement. The film was largely undercut by issues of pacing, not helped by its darker tone and rather convoluted plotting. There are several twists in the film, but the reveals feel a bit like a forcible positioning of its characters for the next movie, making for a confusing first watch.
The characters themselves seem underserved by The Crimes of Grindelwald's story. Newt, Tina, Jacob, and Queenie's stories end up competing with Dumbledore and Grindelwald's history, which the film seems much more interested in. New characters feel inconsequential to the already dense narrative. Nicolas Flamel (the creator of the Sorcerer's Stone referenced in the first Harry Potter film) makes a cameo, but offers little more than short-lived fan service. Yusuf Kama has spent his life tracking down Credence, but it turns out for no real reason after learning Credence's true identity. Leta Lestrange is introduced as major player in Newt's backstory, yet she is killed off before the audience can really get a grasp of their relationship. This and a final twist that seemingly comes from nowhere, revealing Credence is actually Aurelius Dumbledore, results in plenty of head-scratching as the credits begin to roll.
A Harry Potter Spinoff Needs A Better Long-Term Story Choice
Making a five-movie series based on Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them - the textbook read by Hogwarts students in the pages of the Harry Potter novels - was always going to be a big stretch. The first film showcases a variety of charming magical creatures encountered by Newt during his New York City adventure, but The Crimes of Grindelwald seems far more preoccupied with Dumbledore's origin story, hinted at but left ambiguous in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. While there are some new beasts introduced in The Crimes of Gridelwald, they feel a bit tacked on when considering the film's grander scale. The drift in focus (away from Newt and the creatures) may indicate that the prequel series' initial premise simply couldn't be sustained for five films. Therefore, any streaming series would need need to choose a story that actually has potential for long-form storytelling.
How A Harry Potter Spinoff Can Avoid Fantastic Beasts' Prequel Problems
The Fantastic Beasts series has been criticized for messing with established canon of the Wizarding World, with plot holes and changes large and small that have irked some fans. Notably, The Crimes of Grindelwald revealed Credence is Dumbledore's secret brother, despite the character having never been mentioned in the novels - a revelation that Albus kept such a secret could be particularly damning to his legacy. Of course, inconsistencies and tinkering of the series' lore is perhaps inevitable, but the creators of a new show would likely want to do something more in line with the original series, keeping with what's already been established.
A sequel series which follows Harry, Ron, and Hermione after their graduation from Hogwarts may be the most obvious idea for story fodder. Warner Bros. and HBO Max may try and revisit past eras again, this time focusing on the first iteration of the Order of the Phoenix (which included Harry's parents, Sirius, and Lupin) or the origins of Hogwarts itself and its four founders. A new series could also take a page out of The Mandalorian's book, following a lesser-known or brand new character as they explore the universe from a never-before-seen perspective. Whatever the premise, a show that adheres to the rules and established canon of the Wizarding World could even enrich and deepen our understanding of the original Harry Potter books.
Harry Potter's Spinoff Will Still Likely Be Divisive
Unfortunately, the future of the Harry Potter universe has a deck stacked against it. The original series was a true phenomenon, setting the bar incredibly high for invested fans - many of whom where disappointed by The Crimes of Grindelwald in 2018. To make matters worse, J.K. Rowling has been a controversial figure in recent years for her transphobic comments, alienating many readers who find her words at odds with many of the themes present in the Harry Potter series, which shows many of its characters needlessly persecuted for being Muggle-born or otherwise "different." While it certainly isn't impossible for a new series to be a hit, it does feel as though any new content could be divisive no matter what the creators decide to do.
The fact that a new Harry Potter TV show is even being considered speaks to the franchise's desire to revitalize itself, which may prove to be something of a tall order. The franchise's rights and ownership logistics are fairly complicated, so surely many individuals - including Rowling herself - will have many months of hammering out the details ahead of them before anything comes to fruition. If they look closely at where they went wrong with Fantastic Beasts, who knows, Warner Bros. and HBO Max may be able to recapture some of the Wizarding World's magic.
