Reboots tend to divide opinions, and Harry Potter is no exception.
Given that the original saga concluded only 15 years ago, many fans see the idea of a reboot as unnecessary, even sacrilegious. Still, Warner Bros. is pushing forward. A new TV adaptation is set to premiere on HBO in December, revisiting the magical world by tackling one book per season.
With the original cast now well into their thirties, Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, and Rupert Grint have been replaced by Dominic McLaughlin as Harry Potter, Arabella Stanton as Hermione Granger, and Alastair Stout as Ron Weasley.
And while there’s always a slight chance of a cameo, it feels unlikely due to the ongoing friction between the actors (particularly Watson and Radcliffe) and J.K. Rowling, the author and executive producer. Rowling’s controversial comments about gender identity and the transgender community have caused a rift, something Radcliffe previously described as “sad”, making any reunion improbable.
The reboot has sparked a fierce debate among fans. On one hand, the original films have a devoted following for a reason. But on the other hand, the movies weren’t without their flaws. They omitted key details, leaving diehard fans unsatisfied in several areas.
Admittedly, the filmmakers were at a disadvantage: they were making the films while the books were still coming out, so some details they thought they could abandon ended up being pretty crucial later on. With that in mind, the reboot holds some potential for redemption – if it can address the glaring inconsistencies from the original films.
Why Won’t Voldemort Use His Wand?
In Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, there’s a pivotal moment when Harry and Voldemort’s wands connect due to sharing the same magical core – each containing a feather from Dumbledore’s phoenix, Fawkes. This connection triggers Priori Incantatem, a phenomenon that brings back echoes of Voldemort’s most recent victims.
While this scene was depicted in the movie, Priori Incantatem was never fully explained. That left non-book-readers confused by Voldemort’s decision to use someone else’s wand (specifically Lucius Malfoy’s) in the Battle of the Seven Potters.
The reboot could finally provide the clarity that the original films overlooked, giving Voldemort’s actions more depth.
Where Did Harry’s Mirror Shard Come From?
More puzzling moments occur in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1 (2010) and Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2 (2011) when Harry looks into a shard of a mirror without any explanation. In the books, this fragment comes from a magical mirror given to Harry by his godfather, Sirius Black.
The mirror allowed Harry to communicate with Sirius, though he never opened or used the gift until after Sirius’ death. This backstory is completely absent from the movies, leaving the inclusion of the mirror shard baffling and underdeveloped.
We always think that the films didn’t give Harry and Sirius’ relationship – especially its more toxic elements, with Sirius often viewing and treating Harry as a replacement for his best friend, James Potter – the attention it deserved, so hopefully the reboot will flesh this out further.
What Happened to Dobby?
Dobby, the beloved house elf, was barely featured in the original film series, despite playing significant roles in several of the books. While he made an appearance in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (2002) and Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1 (2010), his character was largely absent from the rest of the films.
In the books, Dobby is pivotal in several storylines, including helping Harry during the Triwizard Tournament and helping Harry find the Room of Requirement. His expanded presence throughout the books deepens his relationship with Harry, making his death far more impactful.
This time around, Dobby is set to be played by Lenny Rush, best known for Am I Being Unreasonable? and Doctor Who. His casting suggests HBO plans to give Dobby a decent part, hopefully adapting more of the storylines from the books and giving the house-elf a much larger role than he had in the films.
Does Harry Ever Get His Wand Fixed?
One of the more jarring departures from the books occurs in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2, when Harry snaps the Elder Wand and tosses it off a bridge instead of using it to repair his own broken wand.
In the books, this moment is essential. Harry fixes his original wand, showing his desire to return to a normal life rather than wield ultimate power. This poignant detail was lost in the movie adaptation, leaving fans confused about why Harry would discard the Elder Wand without fixing his most trusted magical tool.
How Did Death Eaters Keep Finding Harry, Ron, and Hermione?
In both the books and films, Voldemort’s name carries fear. But in the books, his name is also magically taboo, meaning it triggers a spell that alerts Death Eaters whenever it’s spoken aloud.
This is why they are able to track down Harry, Ron, and Hermione after the trio flees Bill and Fleur’s wedding, and why the Snatchers also later find them in the woods and take them to Malfoy Manor.
The original movies, however, never mention this enchantment, making the Death Eaters’ appearances seem more like random coincidences. The reboot could correct this oversight by providing a clearer explanation of how Voldemort’s forces consistently track down the heroes.
Why Is Harry’s Patronus a Stag?
The stag Patronus holds significant meaning in Harry Potter’s life. It reflects his connection to his father, James, who was also an Animagus capable of transforming into a stag.
This connection is glossed over in the movies, robbing Harry’s Patronus of its emotional weight. The reboot could explore the Marauders’ backstory more thoroughly, explaining why Harry’s Patronus – and his father’s Animagus form – matters so deeply in his fight against dark forces.
What’s the Deal With Harry’s Mother’s Eyes?
As Harry often hears, he has his mother’s eyes. In the books, his green eyes are a defining trait, constantly reminding others, especially Snape, of his mother, Lily. However, the casting in the films muddled this key detail.
While Daniel Radcliffe has blue eyes, the actress portraying Lily (Ellie Darcey-Alden) has brown, leading to a noticeable inconsistency in this crucial narrative thread. Minutes after Snape utters, “You have your mother’s eyes,” we’re treated to a closeup of Lily’s decidedly not-blue eyes.
The reboot could resolve this by ensuring more accurate casting and preserving the emotional resonance between Harry, Lily, and Snape (Alan Rickman). Like Radcliffe, Dominic McLaughlin has light blue eyes. Watch this space to see if the actress for Lily Evans follows suit.
With so many opportunities to correct past missteps, the Harry Potter reboot has the potential to finally deliver a version of the story that’s faithful to the books and satisfying for long-time fans.
Which plot holes are you most eager to see fixed in the new Harry Potter series?
