In less than two weeks Potterheads' dreams will come true, with the grand reunion of the cast and crew of the cinematic world of Harry Potter with the HBO Max special, Harry Potter 20th Anniversary: Return to Hogwarts. The new trailier for the event will have fans shedding a tear along with the cast, as the fans' devotion to the saga, that forever changed them, is mirrored by the actors who brought the magical world to life.
We hear the Hogwarts Express blow its whistle, and we spy our favorite characters wistfully strolling down platform 9 and 3/4 to board. Did we just see Draco and Hermione run into each other's arms? How could Ralph Fiennes not understand the mammoth weight of playing Lord Voldemort? We all forgive his muggle beginnings. Helena Bonham Carter casually inserting her Bellatrix Lestrange choppers to Daniel Radcliffe's glee was especially fun!
The longing for the story to never end began when the '19 years later' appears on the screen, and we see the wizards we have watched grow up and who have succeeded in defeating the Dark Lord, send their children off to study at their home-away-from-home, Hogwarts. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 hit the screens in 2011, but it feels as though the epic tale is always in the hearts of the devoted readers and viewers. Last week's teaser showed the cast opening their wax-sealed letters, surely delivered by owl, to invite them to a reunion the world has been waiting decades for.
The official synopsis reads: "Announced last month, Harry Potter 20th Anniversary: Return to Hogwarts invites fans on a magical first-person journey through one of the most beloved film franchises of all time as it reunites Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson, and other esteemed cast members and filmmakers across all eight Harry Potter films for the first time to celebrate the anniversary of the franchise’s first film, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone. Additional Harry Potter film alumni joining the memorable tribute include Helena Bonham Carter, Robbie Coltrane, Ralph Fiennes, Jason Isaacs, Gary Oldman, Tom Felton, James Phelps, Oliver Phelps, Mark Williams, Bonnie Wright, Alfred Enoch, Ian Hart, Toby Jones, Matthew Lewis, Evanna Lynch, producer David Heyman and filmmakers Chris Columbus, Alfonso Cuarón, Mike Newell and David Yates."
"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. 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," executive producer Casey Patterson said.
"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, in the original announcement about the special back in November. "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 magically arrives on New Year's Day on HBO Max.