Summary
The Harry Potter reboot show opens up the opportunity for a spinoff centered around the Marauders, a group of Gryffindors with untapped potential.
The original films barely delved into the Marauders, leaving fans craving further insight and background into their characters.
The upcoming HBO reboot has the perfect opportunity to create a spinoff by incorporating flashbacks or dedicating an entire episode to exploring the Marauders, providing a parallel storytelling experience alongside the main show.
The upcoming Harry Potter reboot show presents an ideal opportunity to create a crucial spinoff in the Wizarding World. With over a decade since the last main Harry Potter release, the franchise is experiencing a revival through plans to reboot J.K. Rowling's books and the beloved movie series. The intention is to create a vast retelling of Harry Potter's story, his time at Hogwarts, and his pivotal role in defeating Voldemort. HBO's Harry Potter show not only opens doors to explore the Wizarding World but also provides a platform to delve into new narratives.
Although it is confirmed that Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, and Ron Weasley will remain central to this adaptation through recasting, the advantage of long-form storytelling in television allows for the exploration of additional characters and their stories. Given the immense popularity of the Harry Potter franchise, there is already speculation that this could lead to spinoffs connected to the main show. Numerous opportunities exist, including addressing significant narratives overlooked by the previous franchise. For those seeking to expand the universe, a Marauders spinoff is the most promising prospect.
Harry Potter’s Marauders Explained
The Marauders, consisting of James Potter, Sirius Black, Remus Lupin, and Peter Pettigrew, were a mischievous group of Gryffindors whose main objectives were to pull pranks, defend the honor of their house, and support one another in difficult times. Despite their appearances in the original films and books, the Marauders are not extensively mentioned within the Harry Potter universe. To delve deeper into their characters, fans often turn to fanfiction, which has offered more exploration than the movies or books.
James had a limited role in the original series, having died at the hands of Voldemort before the franchise even began. Sirius and Remus, on the other hand, made occasional appearances, with Sirius being one of the last members to fight in the Wizarding War and remain in contact with Harry. In contrast, Peter Pettigrew betrayed Harry's parents and the rest of the Marauders, serving Voldemort out of loyalty and causing the deaths of two members while condemning another to a dreadful life in prison.
Why The Marauders Need A Spin-Off
The Marauders, who were barely explored in the original movies, deserve a spinoff show tied to the Harry Potter reboot. Although there were some flashbacks featuring James that portrayed him as a bully, particularly towards Severus Snape, the pasts of Sirius, Remus, and Peter were not shown. This lack of backstory left audiences yearning for a deeper understanding and context. Consequently, passionate fans have turned to popular fanfictions, such as the All The Young Dudes book, to fill in these gaps.
While Marauders fanfiction may not be considered cannon, the widespread support for it provides a compelling reason for HBO to consider a spinoff show. With an abundance of untold stories, the series could freely explore various plot points, making it compatible with the reboot canon. For instance, it could focus on the four young wizards during their time at Hogwarts, providing an accompanying narrative that delves into the school's history. Alternatively, the Marauders spinoff could delve into their adult lives, allowing the fan-favorite casting choice of Ben Barnes as Sirius Black to finally materialize.
One significant reason why a spin-off featuring the Marauders would enhance the Harry Potter reboot story is their deep connections to the main narrative. This isn't limited to Harry alone, as the impact of James and Lily's demise heavily influences him. The group was educated by many of the same professors as in the original series, and they also attended school alongside Severus Snape, the Potions professor. His intense animosity towards Harry's father and the entire Marauders group would be better understood through their shared history, providing valuable context for his character and his emotions towards Harry.
The New Reboot Would Perfectly Set Up A Spin-Off
The Harry Potter franchise has a new opportunity for expansion with the upcoming HBO reboot. With the Marauders already a part of the series, there is great potential for a spinoff. In the original movies, we saw a flashback to the day of James Potter's death, when Harry was just a baby. However, the show could go even further back in time and focus the first episode on the Marauders themselves. We could follow their journeys as adults, ultimately leading up to the birth of Harry by James and Lily.
The spin-off could also be introduced through a series of flashbacks, potentially resulting in a longer wait for the Marauders spin-off to be fully established. However, this approach would allow the two shows to run in parallel. The Harry Potter reboot could incorporate scenes throughout its seasons, with each season corresponding to one book, that allude to and reflect upon the Marauders based on the challenges faced by the Harry Potter characters in each episode. This connection would be particularly significant in the third season, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, as the Marauders' story is most prominent during that time.