Chris Columbus Says This is The Reason Why ‘Cursed Child’ Movie Adaptation Will Never Happen

Chris Columbus, the filmmaker who directed the first two Harry Potter movies, has officially ended hopes for a film version of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child.

Speaking with The Times U.K., he explained that bringing the stage play to the big screen would not be possible.

“It’s never going to happen,” Columbus said. “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.”

By “her,” he was referring to J.K. Rowling. In recent years, Rowling has drawn widespread criticism for her views on transgender rights. She has spoken out against laws protecting trans people, dismissed the idea that trans women are women, and posted statements online that many see as harmful and exclusionary.

These comments sparked backlash from LGBTQ+ groups and fans worldwide. Several actors from the original films, including Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, and Rupert Grint, have also spoken out against her comments, making a reunion project even more unlikely.

Columbus said he hasn’t had contact with Rowling for about ten years. However, he stays close with the cast, noting that he still talks regularly with Daniel Radcliffe.

“I just spoke to him a few days ago,” he shared, adding that he has maintained strong ties with the actors who grew up in the franchise.

The play Harry Potter and the Cursed Child continues the story nearly twenty years after Deathly Hallows. It focuses on Harry’s son, Albus Severus, as he struggles with life at Hogwarts. Fans have long imagined the original cast returning for a film adaptation, and Columbus himself once said he thought it would be a “spectacular idea.”

Now, though, his stance has shifted. He criticized the upcoming HBO series remake of the books, calling it “more of the same” and admitting that it’s hard to picture anyone else taking on the roles played by actors such as Alan Rickman, Maggie Smith, and Robbie Coltrane.

After seeing early images from the show, Columbus admitted his reaction was, “What’s the point?”

Despite stepping away from Rowling and her views, Columbus was clear that he disagrees with her. “I certainly don’t agree with her,” he said, describing her stance as “very sad.” At the same time, he admitted that he tries to separate the books from the controversy around their author. “I sometimes separate the artist from the art,” he explained.

With his comments, Columbus has made it clear that fans waiting for The Cursed Child to hit theaters with the original cast should not expect it to happen.

Columbus’ honesty makes sense. With the deep divide around Rowling’s comments and the actors distancing themselves from her, a film reunion seems impossible. While fans may be disappointed, it’s also important to acknowledge why such a project would be so complicated today. What do you think, should Warner Bros. ever attempt a Cursed Child film, or is it better to leave it as a play? Share your thoughts in the comments.