Don't expect to see Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, or Rupert Grint return to the Harry Potter franchise in a Force Awakens-style return, says former franchise director Chris Columbus. While Columbus has directed many beloved films, such as Home Alone and Mrs. Doubtfire, he is likely best known for launching the Harry Potter franchise, as he directed the first two films, The Sorcerer's Stone and The Chamber of Secrets. Columbus earned a great deal of praise for his time bringing J.K. Rowling's beloved books to life, and one of his most genius moves was finding the three actors who would play Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, and Ron Weasley.
In the past, Columbus expressed interest in directing an adaptation of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, the stage-play legacy sequel to the franchise that would see Radcliffe, Watson, and Grint return to their iconic roles. However, the director admits that it's now never going to happen. Speaking with The Times UK, Columbus said a difference in opinions between the core trio and J.K. Rowling makes a reunion impossible. While Columbus doesn't specify exactly what the political differences are, it is clear that they revolve around Rowling's past transphobic comments and views on her controversial stance on transgender issues. Columbus doesn't speak to Rowling, but still maintains contact with the actors he cast, saying:
"It’s never going to happen. It’s gotten so complicated with all the political stuff. Everyone in the cast has their own opinion, which is different from her opinion, which makes it impossible…I haven’t spoken to Miss Rowling in a decade or so, so I have no idea what’s going on with her. I keep very close contact with Daniel Radcliffe, and I just spoke to him a few days ago. I still have a great relationship with all the kids in the cast."
J.K. Rowling's "Feud" with the 'Harry Potter' Cast
Warner Bros.
Chris Columbus has already expressed his own disagreement with Rowling's beliefs. J.K. Rowling has gone from one of the most celebrated authors in history to one of the most controversial due to her outspoken opposition to transgender rights, all under the guise of protecting cisgender women. While she originally had a good relationship with the core Harry Potter trio, starting in 2020, she quickly turned on them when they spoke out in favor of transgender rights issues. In 2020, Radcliffe said, "It's clear that we need to do more to support transgender and nonbinary people, not invalidate their identities," with Watson saying, "Trans people are who they say they are and deserve to live their lives without being constantly questioned or told they aren't who they say they are." Meanwhile, Grint said, "I firmly stand with the trans community. Trans women are women. Trans men are men. We should all be entitled to live with love and without judgment."
Rowling did not respond well to Radcliffe, Watson, and Grint's stance, making constant digs at the original three Harry Potter actors. In 2024, she stated that she would not forgive the actors for sharing their views. Then, in 2025, she retweeted a post on X that asked, "What actor/actress instantly ruins a movie for you?" with her saying, "Three guesses," followed by "Sorry, but that was irresistible," a clear reference to Radcliffe, Watson, and Grint. In fact, many assume the major push to reboot the "Harry Potter" books into a television show is to recast Harry, Hermione, and Ron so as not to associate the characters with the actors. It also gives Rowling a chance to see an adaptation of her work without having to see the faces of people she no longer agrees with.
Yet the decision to remake Harry Potter is already controversial, with Chris Columbus expressing his own reservations about rebooting if they are just going to use all the films' iconography. This has also put a spotlight on the actors who have decided to join Harry Potter and work with Rowling, despite her controversial views being not only public but also a significant part of her brand persona now. Increased interest in Harry Potter only increases Rowling's own pocket books, one she uses to help fund organizations and legislation that does active harm to the transgender community. Rowling has become the biggest liability to the Harry Potter franchise, keeping old favorites from returning and some fans from jumping ship, so as not to want to support the writer's crusade.
