With today being the 20th anniversary of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone (or Sorcerer’s Stone as it is known in the US), HBO Max has announced the reunion special Harry Potter 20th Anniversary: Return to Hogwarts. The retrospective special will see the film series’ main trio of Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint and Emma Watson reuniting with other stars from the film series to reminisce about the film franchise’s legacy.
Launched on this date in 2001, the Harry Potter film franchise turned into a massive hit which only made the popular book series it was based off of even more popular. With Radcliffe, Grint and Watson playing the lead characters of Harry Potter, Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger, the film series ran for eight films from 2001 – 2011 and collectively earned nearly $8 billion at the box office.
Return to Hogwarts will see other Harry Potter stars join the anniversary special as well as director Chris Columbus, who helmed the first two entries in the series Philosopher’s Stone and Chamber of Secrets. Other Harry Potter stars the reunion will feature are Helena Bonham Carter (Bellatrix Lestrange), Robbie Coltrane (Hagrid), Ralph Fiennes (Lord Voldemort), Jason Isaacs (Lucius Malfoy), Gary Oldman (Sirius Black), Imelda Staunton (Professor Umbridge), Tom Felton (Draco Malfoy), James Phelps (Fred Weasley), Oliver Phelps (George Weasley), Mark Williams (Arthur Weasley), Bonnie Wright (Ginny Weasley), Alfred Enoch (Dean Thomas), Matthew Lewis (Neville Longbottom), Evanna Lynch (Luna Lovegood), Ian Hart (Professor Quirrell) and more.
SEE ALSO: Chris Columbus is interested in adapting Harry Potter and the Cursed Child with the original trio
“It has been an incredible journey since the debut of the Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone film, and witnessing how it has evolved into this remarkable interconnected universe has been magical, to say the least,” said Tom Ascheim, President, Warner Bros. Global Kids, Young Adults, and Classics. “This retrospective is a tribute to everyone whose lives were touched by this cultural phenomenon—from the talented cast and crew who poured their heart and soul into this extraordinary film franchise to the passionate fans who continue to keep the Wizarding World spirit alive 20 years later.”
Harry Potter 20th Anniversary: Return to Hogwarts will premiere on HBO Max on January 1st, 2022.
Ricky Church – Follow me on Twitter for more movie news and nerd talk.
