They were magical then. They are magical now. But has it really been 20 years?
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It sure has.
“Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone” debuted 20 years ago this week. The original wizarding trio from Hogwarts are reuniting to recall their adventures through the years.
Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson and Rupert Grint will join filmmaker Chris Columbus and other cast members from all eight “Harry Potter” films for the first time in an HBO Max retrospective special, “Harry Potter 20th Anniversary: Return to Hogwarts” that will air on Jan. 1, 2022, Variety reported.
British author J.K. Rowling, who wrote the books the movies are based on and worked with the film’s producers, is not in the lineup for the retrospective, The Washington Post reported. Representatives for Rowling and Warner Bros. declined to comment, the newspaper reported.
Rowling was criticized last year after she shared her opinions on Twitter and months later wrote a lengthy personal essay on transgender issues, the Post reported. Grint, Watson and Radcliffe publicly distanced themselves from Rowling’s comments at the time and said they stood with the trans community.
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The show will feature in-depth cast interviews and behind-the-scenes moments from the eight movies and hopes to “honor the magic behind the making of the films,” Warner Bros. said in a release.
Other alumni of the film franchise joining in the streaming tribute include Tom Felton, Helena Bonham Carter, Robbie Coltrane, Ralph Fiennes, Jason Isaacs, Gary Oldman, Imelda Staunton, James Phelps, Oliver Phelps, Mark Williams, Bonnie Wright, Alfred Enoch, Matthew Lewis, Evanna Lynch and Ian Hart, according to Variety .
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“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,” “Hogwarts” executive producer Casey Patterson said in a statement . “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.”
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The special also will air on WarnerMedia’s TBS and Cartoon Network in spring 2022, Variety reported. It will be aired ahead of the Warner Bros. Pictures theatrical debut of “Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore.”
“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. for 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.”
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Watson, who played Hermione Granger, shared the news of the television reunion on her Instagram page .
“Harry Potter was my home, my family, my world and Hermione (still is) my favorite fictional character of all time,” she said Tuesday. “I am proud not just of what we as (a) group contributed as actors to the franchise but also as the children that became young adults that walked that path.”
Felton, who played Harry Potter’s archrival Draco Malfoy, tweeted : “Is this what school homecoming is like? Mark your calendars.”
Lewis, who played Neville Longbottom, wrote on Instagram : “This New Year’s Day … we’re putting the band back together.”
An exclusive first look at the special will debut during the premiere of the bracket-style quiz competition “Harry Potter: Hogwarts Tournament of Houses” at 8 p.m. EST on Nov. 28, Variety reported. The show will air on TBS and Cartoon Network.
LOOK BACK: 20 Years Of Harry Potter Pandemonium LONDON - DECEMBER 13: A child looks at a Harry Potter product December 13, 2002 in London, England. Harry Potter merchandise is expected to be one of the best-selling gifts for the 2002 Christmas season. (Photo by Scott Barbour/Getty Images) (Scott Barbour) LOOK BACK: 20 Years Of Harry Potter Pandemonium LONDON - NOVEMBER 4: British author J.K. Rowling, creator of the Harry Potter children's books, and 11 year old Daniel Radcliffe (Harry Potter in the film version) attend the world film premiere of "Harry Potter and The Philosopher's Stone" at the Odeon Leicester Square cinema in London on November 4, 2001. The movie is titled "Harry Potter and The Sorcerer's Stone" for it's U.S. release. (Photo by Gareth Davies/Getty Images) (Gareth Davies) LOOK BACK: 20 Years Of Harry Potter Pandemonium LONDON - OCTOBER 25, 2002: Actors Emma Watson, Daniel Radcliffe and Rupert Grint attend a photocall for the movie "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets" at the Guildhall October 25, 2002 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Dave Hogan/Getty Images) (Dave Hogan) LOOK BACK: 20 Years Of Harry Potter Pandemonium SCHAUMBURG, IL - JUNE 21: (EMBARGOED - NO DOWNLOADS OR SALES UNTIL FEBRUARY 10, 2004) Eight year old Mason Hoppe waits for his chance to purchase a copy of the new 'Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix' book by J.K. Rowling at Barnes and Noble bookstore on June 21, 2003 in Schaumburg, Illinois. The fifth book in the Harry Potter series went on sale at midnight and was released with a first printing of 13 million copies. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images) (Scott Olson) LOOK BACK: 20 Years Of Harry Potter Pandemonium Fans of Harry Potter throng a bookstore waiting in line to purchase copies of "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix" in Kuala Lumpur, 21 June 2003. Hundreds of Malaysians rushed to queue up hours before the much-anticipated fifth Harry Potter book went on sale at 7.01am here, many buying more than one copy each of the fifth and latest novel launched world-wide 21 June. AFP PHOTO/Jimin LAI (Photo credit should read JIMIN LAI/AFP/Getty Images) (JIMIN LAI) LOOK BACK: 20 Years Of Harry Potter Pandemonium LONDON - AUGUST 23: Actors Emma Watson, Rupert Grint and Daniel Radcliffe attend a photocall to present the new cast of the Harry Potter Films, London, August 23, 2000. (Photo by Dave Hogan/Getty Images) (Dave Hogan) LOOK BACK: 20 Years Of Harry Potter Pandemonium LONDON - NOVEMBER 4: Actors Rupert Grint, Author JK Rowling, Daniel Radcliffe and Emma Watson attend the world premiere of the first Harry Potter film, 'Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone' at the Odeon Leicester Square, London, November 4, 2001. (Photo by Gareth Davies/Getty Images) (Gareth Davies) LOOK BACK: 20 Years Of Harry Potter Pandemonium NEW YORK, UNITED STATES: Daniel Radcliffe (R), who plays Harry Potter, Emma Watson (C), who plays Hermione Granger, and Rupert Grint, who plays Ron Weasley, smile before the premier of "Harry Potter & the Prisoner of Azkaban" at Radio City in New York 23 May 2004. AFP PHOTO/Don EMMERT (Photo credit should read DON EMMERT/AFP/Getty Images) (DON EMMERT) LOOK BACK: 20 Years Of Harry Potter Pandemonium LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM: Actor Daniel Radcliffe who plays Harry Potter waves to the crowd as he arrives at the premiere for the latest Harry Potter Film, the Prisoner of Azkaban at Leicester Square, London U.K. AFP PHOTO/CARL DE SOUZA (Photo credit should read CARL DE SOUZA/AFP/Getty Images) (AFP) LOOK BACK: 20 Years Of Harry Potter Pandemonium LONDON - MAY 30: Actor Daniel Radcliffe attends the UK Premiere of "Harry Potter And The Prisoner Of Azkaban" at the Odeon Leicester Square on May 30, 2004 in London. The film is the third celluloid instalment of J K Rowling's series of books. (Photo by Dave Hogan/Getty Images) (Dave Hogan) LOOK BACK: 20 Years Of Harry Potter Pandemonium NEW YORK - JUNE 4: Fans wait in line to see "Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban" which will show the trailer for "The Polar Express" at Loews Astor Plaza in Times Square June 4, 2004 in New York City. (Photo by Scott Gries/Getty Images) (Scott Gries) LOOK BACK: 20 Years Of Harry Potter Pandemonium LONDON - NOVEMBER 04: Writer J K Rowling with actors, Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint and Emma Watson at the UK Film Premiere of 'Harry Potter And The Philosopher's Stone', held at the Odeon, Leicester Square on 4th November 2001, in London. (Photo by Dave Benett/Getty Images). (Dave Benett) LOOK BACK: 20 Years Of Harry Potter Pandemonium TORONTO, CANADA - OCTOBER 24: A young Harry Potter fan runs down the aisle to take his seat for the J.K. Rowling reading of Harry Potter during the International Festival of Authors at the SkyDome 24 October 2000 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo credit should read AARON HARRIS/AFP/Getty Images) (AARON HARRIS) LOOK BACK: 20 Years Of Harry Potter Pandemonium EDINBURGH, UNITED KINGDOM - JULY 15: Harry Potter author JK Rowling arrives at Edinburgh Castle where she will read passages from the sixth magical children?s title ?Harry Potter And The Half-Blood Prince?, on July 15, 2005 in Edinburgh, Scotland. 70 junior reporters from around the world, aged between eight and 16, make up the audience, and get to meet and ask questions of the author ahead of the midnight release of the new volume. (Photo by Christopher Furlong/Getty Images) (Christopher Furlong) LOOK BACK: 20 Years Of Harry Potter Pandemonium BEIJING, CHINA: A Chinese girl checks out the latest official Harry Potter memorabilia on sale in Beijing 30 August 2005. The Harry Potter books and accompanying films have proved vastly popular in China, selling millions of copies and even spawning a bootleg sequel when Rowling took too long to produce the next official episode. AFP PHOTO (Photo credit should read STR/AFP/Getty Images) (STR) LOOK BACK: 20 Years Of Harry Potter Pandemonium LONDON - NOVEMBER 06: (L to R) Actors Rupert Grint, Emma Watson and Daniel Radcliffe arrive at the World Premiere of "Harry Potter And The Goblet Of Fire" at the Odeon Leicester Square on November 6, 2005 in London, England. The film is based on the fourth installment of author J.K. Rowling's novel series. (Photo by Dave Hogan/Getty Images) (Dave Hogan) LOOK BACK: 20 Years Of Harry Potter Pandemonium LONDON - MARCH 13: Actors Daniel Radcliffe and Emma Watson arrive at the Sony Ericsson Empire Film Awards 2006, the annual awards show voted for by the public, at the Hilton London Metropole on March 13, 2006 in London, England. (Photo by Dave Hogan/Getty Images) (Dave Hogan) LOOK BACK: 20 Years Of Harry Potter Pandemonium UNSPECIFIED - NOVEMBER 18: LIFE Cover 11-18-2005 of the co-stars of the Harry Potter films (L-R) Rupert Grint, Emma Watson and Daniel Radcliffe. (Photo by Kayt Jones/The LIFE Premium Collection/Getty Images) (Kayt Jones) LOOK BACK: 20 Years Of Harry Potter Pandemonium Tokyo, JAPAN: British actor Daniel Radcliffe (R) shares a light moment with producer David Heyman (L) in front of Japanese fans before the Japan premiere of his new film "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix" in Tokyo, 28 June 2007. Muggles from all corners of Japan descended on Tokyo as Harry Potter star Daniel Radcliffe swept up the red carpet to the delight of a huge crowd at the premiere of his new film. AFP PHOTO/Toru YAMANAKA (Photo credit should read TORU YAMANAKA/AFP/Getty Images) (TORU YAMANAKA) LOOK BACK: 20 Years Of Harry Potter Pandemonium LONDON - JULY 03: Actor Rupert Grint meets fans at the european premiere of "Harry Potter And The Order Of The Phoenix" at Odeon Leicester Square on July 3, 2007 in London, England. (Photo by Dave Hogan/Getty Images) (Dave Hogan) LOOK BACK: 20 Years Of Harry Potter Pandemonium LONDON - JULY 03: Author J.K. Rowling greets fans at the European premiere of "Harry Potter And The Order Of The Phoenix" at Odeon Leicester Square on July 3, 2007 in London, England. (Photo by Dave Hogan/Getty Images) (Dave Hogan) LOOK BACK: 20 Years Of Harry Potter Pandemonium HOLLYWOOD - JULY 09: Emma Watson, Daniel Radcliffe and Rupert Grint at the Hand, Foot and Wand-Print Ceremony at Grauman's Chinese Theatre on July 8, 2007 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Eric Charbonneau/WireImage) (Eric Charbonneau) LOOK BACK: 20 Years Of Harry Potter Pandemonium NEW YORK - JULY 20: Harry Potter fan Hanna Polasky looks on in the Union Square Barnes and Noble before the final book goes on sale tonight at midnight July 20, 2007 in New York City. Worldwide anticipation and hype surround the publication of "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows," the seventh and final book in author J.K. Rowling's fantasy series. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images) (Mario Tama) LOOK BACK: 20 Years Of Harry Potter Pandemonium SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - JULY 21: A Harry Potter fan begins to read the final novel by author J.K. Rowling, "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, at the much anticipated launch on July 21, 2007 at the Carriage Works in Sydney Australia. Rowlings announced that it will be the seventh and final novel in the hugely successful Harry Potter series. The book went on sale in Australia at 9.01am on July 21, with children's and adults' hardbacks, an audio book and a deluxe gift edition being published simultaneously accross the world. The previous publication in the series, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, sold over two million copies in Britain alone on its day of release. (Photo by Lisa Maree Williams/Getty Images) (Lisa Maree Williams) LOOK BACK: 20 Years Of Harry Potter Pandemonium SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - JULY 21: A Harry Potter fan begins to read the final novel by author J.K. Rowling, "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, at the much anticipated launch on July 21, 2007 at the Carriage Works in Sydney Australia. Rowlings announced that it will be the seventh and final novel in the Harry Potter series. The book went on sale in Australia at 9.01am on July 21, with children's and adults' hardbacks, an audio book and a deluxe gift edition being published simultaneously across the world. The previous publication in the series, "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince," sold over two million copies in Britain alone on its day of release. (Photo by Lisa Maree Williams/Getty Images) (Lisa Maree Williams) LOOK BACK: 20 Years Of Harry Potter Pandemonium LAS VEGAS - JULY 20: Julius Fortuna (L), dressed as the character Albus Dumbledore, is congratulated by Barnes & Noble Booksellers cashier Jeffrey Lord as Fortuna becomes the first in line to purchase the store's first copy of "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows" July 20, 2007 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Fortuna won the right by winning a costume contest during the store's book release party. Worldwide anticipation and hype surround the publication of "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows," the seventh and final book in author J.K. Rowling's fantasy series. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) (Ethan Miller) LOOK BACK: 20 Years Of Harry Potter Pandemonium LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 06: (EMBARGOED FOR PUBLICATION IN UK TABLOID NEWSPAPERS UNTIL 48 HOURS AFTER CREATE DATE AND TIME) (L-R) Tom Felton, Emma Watson, Rupert Grint, Daniel Radcliffe, Bonnie Wright and Jessie Cave pose during the photocall of 'Harry Potter And The Half-Blood Prince' at Claridge's Hotel on July 6, 2009 in London, England. (Photo by Dave M. Benett/Getty Images) (Dave M. Benett) LOOK BACK: 20 Years Of Harry Potter Pandemonium LONDON - JULY 7: Fans wait ahead of the 'Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince' film premiere at the Odeon Leicester Square on July 7, 2009 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Marsland/WireImage) (Mike Marsland) LOOK BACK: 20 Years Of Harry Potter Pandemonium PARAMUS, NJ - JULY 10: Harry Potter fans attend a special signing and Q&A session with actor Tom Felton, who plays Draco Malfoy in "Harry Potter & The Half Blood Prince" at Hot Topic store, a retail partner with Warner Bros., at the Garden State Plaza on July 10, 2009 in Paramus, New Jersey. (Photo by Matthew Peyton/Getty Images) (Matthew Peyton) LOOK BACK: 20 Years Of Harry Potter Pandemonium UNITED STATES - JULY 21: Fans pick up first copies of books by Scholastic CEO Dick Robinson at the midnight release of JK Rowling's "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows'' at The Scholastic Store in Manhattan. (Photo by James Keivom/NY Daily News Archive via Getty Images) (New York Daily News Archive) LOOK BACK: 20 Years Of Harry Potter Pandemonium NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 10: New York City school children attend a preview of Harry Potter: The Exhibition, making its final north american tour stop at Discovery Times Square on March 10, 2011 in New York City. The exhibit opens April 5th. (Photo by Mike Coppola/Getty Images) (Mike Coppola) LOOK BACK: 20 Years Of Harry Potter Pandemonium LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 07: (EMBARGOED FOR PUBLICATION IN UK TABLOID NEWSPAPERS UNTIL 48 HOURS AFTER CREATE DATE AND TIME. MANDATORY CREDIT PHOTO BY DAVE M. BENETT/GETTY IMAGES REQUIRED) Author J.K. Rowling arrives at the World Premiere of 'Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows Part 2' in Trafalgar Square on July 7, 2011 in London, England. (Photo by Dave M. Benett/Getty Images) (Dave M. Benett) LOOK BACK: 20 Years Of Harry Potter Pandemonium LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 07: Writer J.K. Rowling, actress Emma Watson and actor Rupert Grint attend the "Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows Part 2" world premiere at Trafalgar Square on July 7, 2011 in London, England. (Photo by Jon Furniss/WireImage) (Jon Furniss) LOOK BACK: 20 Years Of Harry Potter Pandemonium LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 07: Actress Emma Watson and writer J.K. Rowling attend the "Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows Part 2" world premiere at Trafalgar Square on July 7, 2011 in London, England. (Photo by Jon Furniss/WireImage) (Jon Furniss) LOOK BACK: 20 Years Of Harry Potter Pandemonium LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 07: (EMBARGOED FOR PUBLICATION IN UK TABLOID NEWSPAPERS UNTIL 48 HOURS AFTER CREATE DATE AND TIME. MANDATORY CREDIT PHOTO BY DAVE M. BENETT/GETTY IMAGES REQUIRED) Actress Emma Watson signs autographs at the World Premiere of 'Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows Part 2' in Trafalgar Square on July 7, 2011 in London, England. (Photo by Dave M. Benett/Getty Images) (Dave M. Benett) LOOK BACK: 20 Years Of Harry Potter Pandemonium LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 07: (EMBARGOED FOR PUBLICATION IN UK TABLOID NEWSPAPERS UNTIL 48 HOURS AFTER CREATE DATE AND TIME. MANDATORY CREDIT PHOTO BY DAVE M. BENETT/GETTY IMAGES REQUIRED) (L to R) Actors Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson and Rupert Grint attend the World Premiere of 'Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows Part 2' in Trafalgar Square on July 7, 2011 in London, England. (Photo by Dave M. Benett/Getty Images) (Dave M. Benett) LOOK BACK: 20 Years Of Harry Potter Pandemonium TODAY -- Pictured: Harry Potter cast members appear on "Today" show featuring the grand opening of "Wizarding World of Harry Potter" at Universalé-(s Islands of Adventure in Orlando, FL (Photo by Kevin Kolczynski/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images) (NBC) LOOK BACK: 20 Years Of Harry Potter Pandemonium TODAY -- Pictured: Daniel Radcliffe appears on NBC News' "Today" show (Photo by Charles Sykes/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images) (NBC NewsWire) LOOK BACK: 20 Years Of Harry Potter Pandemonium TODAY -- Pictured: Actor Daniel Radcliffe of "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix" signs autographs outside the studio on NBC News' TODAY on July 11, 2007 (Photo by Virginia Sherwood/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images) (NBC NewsWire) LOOK BACK: 20 Years Of Harry Potter Pandemonium 397361 05: Harry Potter merchandise are on display at the Scholastic Store November 16, 2001 in New York, NY. The movie "Harry Potter And The Sorcerer's Stone" opens today at theatres nationwide. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images) (Justin Sullivan) ©2021 Cox Media Group