When the Harry Potter reboot was first announced by HBO, longtime fans were curious how the cast of the big-screen franchise would feel or if they would be involved in such a project, with Ron Weasley actor Rupert Grint recently opening up about the revival. The actor sounds entirely happy to let the new generation of stars fully embrace the roles, as Grint revealed he wrote a letter to actor Alastair Stout to wish him luck in the endeavor. Much like Grint was, Stout is a relative unknown in Hollywood, with this new HBO series set to entirely change the course of his career, and his life.
Grint reflected on the upcoming series to the BBC, explaining:
“I wrote him a letter, before they started, passing the baton as it were … It was really just wishing him all the best with it. I had so much fun stepping into this world, and I hope he has the same experience.”
This marks a similar attitude Daniel Radcliffe has about the experience, as he shared earlier in the month that he wrote a letter to new Harry Potter actor Dominic McLaughlin to encourage him to have the best time bringing to life the beloved fantasy series.
Could Rupert Grint Return to ‘Harry Potter’?
The nature of a reboot means breathing fresh life into a concept for a new generation, putting a slightly different spin on an experience that audiences might feel they have seen all there is to see in. Still, with many of the original Harry Potter actors now being old enough to play some of the adult characters, fans have wondered if they could join the HBO project as different characters. Additionally, Draco Malfoy actor Tom Felton recently reprised his role in the theatrical Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, leading fans to speculate further about veterans returning to the franchise. Grint weighed in on the possibility:
“Maybe in the future. Never say never. But for now, I think as much as I loved it, I’m enjoying stepping outside of that world”
While the cinematic franchise consisted of eight movies, before igniting a trio of Fantastic Beasts prequel movies, this new take on the material is expected to spend a season of television on each of the seven original books. Radcliffe, Grint, and Emma Watson have cast doubt on returning for the series, though Warwick Davis previously revealed he would once again be playing Professor Filius Flitwick.
Joining Stout and McLaughlin will be Arabella Stanton as Hermione Granger, John Lithgow as Albus Dumbledore, Paapa Essiedu as Severus Snape, Nick Frost as Rubeus Hagrid, Janet McTeer as Minerva McGonagall, Lox Pratt as Draco Malfoy, and Rory Wilmot as Neville Longbottom.
With Grint joining the franchise more than 20 years ago and continuing his acting career in the years since the franchise wrapped up in 2011, the actor admitted he doesn’t mind still being connected to the role, detailing, “It has a quite deep meaning to a lot of people of my generation, and even more to generations who are finding it now. It’s great. It gives me a lot of pride. It was such a huge thing. I don’t think I’ll ever quite step out of his shadow, but I’m fine with that.”
The new Harry Potter series is currently filming and is targeting a 2027 release date.
Harry Potter
- Showrunner
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Francisca Gardiner
- Directors
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Mark Mylod
- Writers
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Francesca Gardiner