Variety reports that HBO Max released the much-anticipated trailer of Harry Potter 20th Anniversary: Return to Hogwarts, the upcoming special that reunites the actors and filmmakers from the eight-movie series. The special will stream on January 1, 2022. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, the Wizarding World’s on-screen debut, was released in November 2001, and the special will commemorate the franchise’s 20th anniversary.
It was filmed at the Warner Brothers Studio Tour London and features stars Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, and Emma Watson. The special also includes talent from the movies, including Helena Bonham Carter, Robbie Coltrane, Ralph Fiennes, Jason Isaacs, Gary Oldman, Tom Felton, James Phelps, Oliver Phelps, Mark Williams, Bonnie Wright, Alfred Enoch, Matthew Lewis, and Evanna Lynch. Filmmakers David Heyman, Chris Columbus, Alfonso Cuarón, Mike Newell, and David Yates will also make appearances.
In the trailer, the cast reminisces about the movies and the festivities in the Great Hall. Watson says, “It feels like no time has passed — and loads of time has passed.” Radcliffe says that something that had scared him was “the implication that the most meaningful thing in our life was done,” and that seeing everyone is “joyous” because he realizes “it wasn’t though.”
The trio of friends talk in the Gryffindor common room and Grint reflects that because of Harry Potter, “It’s a strong bond that we’ll always have.”
HBO Max has been rolling out promotional materials for the special. On Wednesday, HBO Max revealed the key art for the anniversary special in the tweet below.
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter has been busy these days. Warner Bros. dropped the trailer for Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore, the third movie in that franchise set for release on April 15, 2022. WarnerMedia cable channels TBS and Cartoon Network broadcast Harry Potter: Hogwarts Tournament of Houses, a game show hosted by Helen Mirren.
Author J.K. Rowling will not be featured in Harry Potter 20th Anniversary: Return to Hogwarts and will only be shown in archival footage from the movies. Rowling has become a controversial figure in the Harry Potter fandom due to her anti-trans comments and her views have reportedly been condemned by the core cast of the Harry Potter movies.
Watch the trailer for the anniversary special below and be sure to stream it on HBO Max on January 1, 2022.
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