If Harry Potter's Movie Future Is This Challenging, It Might Not Be Feasible

Article Overview

The shortcomings of the Fantastic Beasts movies proved that extending the Harry Potter series in the cinematic universe is more complicated than it seems.

The controversies surrounding the Wizarding World franchise caused a decline in audience interest. However, the tremendous success of the Harry Potter: Hogwarts Legacy video game indicated that only Fantastic Beasts was the cause of the problem.

Attempting to recreate the original Harry Potter movies in a longer format is a risky decision that may fail to evoke the same sense of nostalgia and allure, potentially leaving audiences feeling uneasy rather than entertained.

Warner Bros' attempts to sustain the Harry Potter franchise have encountered numerous obstacles, raising doubts about its worthiness. Despite the continuous discussions and merchandise that demonstrate the enduring popularity of the Wizarding World series since the release of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 2, the challenges faced by the Fantastic Beasts movies have complicated the expansion of the cinematic universe. The impending TV remake further diminishes the prospects for the franchise's future on the big screen.

Over the course of a decade, the Harry Potter movies generated substantial revenue for Warner Bros, with all eight entries delivering exceptional performances at the box office. Although the conclusion of Harry's story in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 2 seemed to suggest the potential for successful films within the same universe, this proved to be an incorrect assumption. The potential of the unfinished Fantastic Beasts movies appears to be limited, leaving minimal opportunities for growth. As Warner Bros ventures into a new direction with HBO's Harry Potter remake, the question remains: is there still value in expanding the Wizarding World franchise through additional films?

Harry Potter's Future Is Difficult After Fantastic Beasts 3

Dumbledore's past was explored to some extent in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, but many questions about his family history remained unanswered. This created an opportunity for a fascinating spinoff series, which Warner Bros recognized and fulfilled with Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them. Although the first installment achieved a respectable $816 million in global box office earnings, subsequent films failed to maintain the same level of interest. As a result, Secrets of Dumbledore only garnered $407 million worldwide.

Fantastic Beasts faced initial troubles with Johnny Depp's allegations, leading to calls for his recasting. Despite Rowling's statement, Depp was eventually replaced by Mads Mikkelsen for the next installment. However, evidence emerging later suggested Depp had been wrongly accused, further complicating the franchise's reputation. The controversies surrounding the Wizarding World seemed to have turned audiences away, except for the success of the Harry Potter: Hogwarts Legacy video game. Unfortunately, this success did not extend to the Fantastic Beasts series, as Warner Bros currently shows no intention of continuing with a fourth film. Additionally, the announcement of a Harry Potter TV series in partnership with HBO has cast doubt on the future of Newt Scammander's story.

Warner Bros originally announced that there would be five Fantastic Beasts movies.

Forcing Harry Potter Spinoffs & Remakes May Only Hurt The Franchise

Fantastic Beasts felt somehow artificial, giving the impression of being fan fiction rather than a genuine expansion of the established Wizarding World. At its worst, it appeared as a blatant attempt to solely profit from the franchise, rather than offering a meaningful addition to the overall canon. Consequently, the film series leaves the audience with a sense of embarrassment, rather than the triumphant conclusion achieved by Harry Potter. Even so, the original movies can still be cherished and enjoyed, evoking feelings of happiness and nostalgia. The uncertain future lies on whether Warner Bros will produce further disappointing sequels to Fantastic Beasts or explore other movie spinoffs.

This is probably the reason why Warner Bros has decided to reboot the original Harry Potter movies, this time in a lengthier format to accurately depict the details of the books. However, there are numerous potential pitfalls in this endeavor. The sentimental value associated with the earlier Harry Potter movies, which owes partly to their outdated qualities, cannot be replicated in a series. Furthermore, witnessing familiar characters and situations portrayed by different actors may create an unsettling effect, leaving audiences more uneasy than entertained.

The challenges encountered by Fantastic Beasts and the potential concerns surrounding a Harry Potter remake underline the hazards of continuing the franchise following previous unsuccessful endeavors. Even highly anticipated Harry Potter spinoffs, such as a Marauders or Hogwarts Founders story, run the risk of adversely affecting the beloved film franchise that has been cherished for two decades. However, Warner Bros. persists despite these obstacles, and there remains optimism for the future possibilities of the Wizarding World franchise—although it remains a speculative venture.

Does Harry Potter Work Outside Of The Main Story?

The potential savior of the Harry Potter reboot lies in its return to the beloved books that initially captivated audiences. Although the Harry Potter movies are cherished, they are not without flaws; numerous missed storylines and characters (even crucial ones) have provided plenty of reasons for criticism over the years. The opportunity to witness these long-awaited moments on the silver screen is likely to entice viewers once again. Furthermore, a new generation will be introduced to the series in a more appealing manner, distancing itself from the "crude" filming style of the early Harry Potter movies.

The success of the Harry Potter reboot will serve as further evidence that deviating from the narratives established in the books was a misstep for the Wizarding World franchise. This outcome may definitively put an end to any future ventures into movie spinoffs, as even highly anticipated ones cannot guarantee a return on the substantial financial investment. In the end, it might be concluded that J.K. Rowling's initial concept of an orphan discovering his destiny as a hero in a magical realm was a stroke of luck, and that the challenges associated with extending the Harry Potter film franchise beyond this point are simply not worthwhile.

Editor's P/S

The Harry Potter franchise has been a cultural phenomenon for over two decades, and it shows no signs of slowing down. The movies, books, and merchandise have all been incredibly successful, and the franchise has even expanded to include a theme park and a video game. However, the recent Fantastic Beasts movies have been met with mixed reviews, and some fans are wondering if the franchise is starting to lose its magic.

I believe that the Harry Potter franchise still has a lot to offer, but it needs to be careful about how it expands. The Fantastic Beasts movies have been a bit of a disappointment, in my opinion, because they have not been able to capture the same magic as the original movies. They feel more like a cash grab than a genuine attempt to expand the Wizarding World. I think that Warner Bros. needs to be more careful about how it chooses to expand the franchise in the future. They need to make sure that any new movies or TV shows are of high quality and that they add something new to the Wizarding World.