WarnerMedia has just announced that the original Harry Potter cast are officially reuniting for a HBO Max special. It has been confirmed that Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, and Emma Watson will join director Chris Columbus, along with other cast members throughout all Harry Potter films to celebrate the 20th anniversary since the release of the first film. The upcoming special will touch bases on all eight films that are based on J.K. Rowling's books, and will also feature Helena Bonham Carter, Robbie Coltrane, Ralph Fiennes, Gary Oldman, Jason Isaacs, Imelda Staunton, Tom Felton, Oliver Phelps, James Phelps, Mark Williams, Alfred Enoch, Bonnie Wright, Evanna Lynch, Ian Hartm, and more. You can check out the official announcement trailer for Harry Potter 20th Anniversary: Return to Hogwarts below.
"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," Tom Ascheim, president of Warner Bros. Global Kids, Young Adults and Classics, said in a statement. "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" is produced by Warner Bros. Unscripted Television in association with Warner Horizon at the Warner Bros. Studio Tour London - The Making of Harry Potter. The special is executive produced by Casey Patterson of Casey Patterson Entertainment ("A West Wing Special to Benefit When We All Vote") and Pulse Films ("Beastie Boys Story").
"There's magic in the air here with this incredible cast, as they all return home to the original sets of Hogwarts, where they began 20 years ago," Casey Patterson commented. "The excitement is palpable as they prepare to take their fans on a very special and personal journey, through the making of these incredible films."
An exclusive first look at the upcoming special will debut during the series premiere of bracket-style quiz competition Harry Potter: Hogwarts Tournament of Houses on Nov. 28 at 8 p.m. ET on both TBS and Cartoon Network. Hosted by Helen Mirren, the four-part event will feature fans competing to take home the Tournament of Houses championship trophy, and will feature a few cameos from the original Harry Potter films including Tom Felton, Simon Fisher-Becker, Shirley Henderson, and Luke Youngblood, as well as superfans Pete Davidson and Jay Leno. Hogwarts Tournament of Houses also will begin streaming on HBO Max on Jan. 1.
HBO Max will begin streaming Harry Potter 20th Anniversary: Return to Hogwarts on Saturday January 1, 2022. It has also been reported that TBS and Cartoon Network will also broadcast the special sometime during Spring 2022. The HBO Max special will premiere ahead of the Warner Bros. Pictures theatrical debut of Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore, which is currently to for release on April 15, 2022. Stay tuned for more details to follow as the premiere date gets closer.