The Harry Potter franchise is one of the most popular film series’ to date, and the iconic cast from the original movies played a large part in that. The first two films, The Philosopher’s Stone and The Chamber of Secrets were both directed by Chris Columbus. However, it turns out that a different prestige director almost took the reins.

In a recent interview, Steven Spielberg revealed he was J.K. Rowling’s first choice to direct The Philosopher’s Stone, and that he was briefly involved in its production. He also said that he suggested several castings for characters, including Maggie Smith for Professor McGonagall, Richard Harris for Albus Dumbledore, and Robbie Coltrane for Rubeus Hagrid. All three of them were cast in the film. Spielberg said, “I developed the second draft with Steve [Kloves, writer,] trying to turn it into something that I was interested in directing…I had just worked with Maggie Smith on Hook, so I proposed Maggie Smith. I knew Richard Harris — he was a friend from a long time ago — I put him in the movie. And Robbie Coltrane. That was it. But then I got out of the movie for personal reasons. No anger, no big controversy, I stepped out. And then my protege, Chris Columbus, stepped in and made two great Harry Potter films.

While Spielberg has had his hands many franchises over the past 4 decades, Harry Potter would have been one of the biggest. Spielberg went on to direct plenty of all-time classic movies in place of a Hogwarts adventure, but it is interesting to think about what a Spielberg Harry Potter movie may have looked like.