Harry Potter TV series

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lord_brademort

January 2nd, 2007, 6:39 pm

TheMagicMongol

January 2nd, 2007, 6:44 pm

xFluerDelacourx

January 2nd, 2007, 6:49 pm

I think it would be an awsome idea and TV series. I also think in the TV series they could show some other characters(like Ginny, Draco, Pansy, or maybe even Grump) side of the story. Maybe the TV series could show other aspects of the wizarding world.

TheMagicMongol

January 2nd, 2007, 6:53 pm

Well I would hate it if they added new material UNLESS it was approved by JKR.

lord_brademort

January 2nd, 2007, 6:55 pm

Same here.
I think it would be best if it just stuck to the books, NOTHING added at all.

slikz21

January 2nd, 2007, 7:01 pm

It's a nice idea to think about, but personally I would rather them just concentrate on making the movies as best they can be. The more you start doing, the more your resources are stretched across all these projects and quality of all of them suffers for it.

The trio are still going to school and shooting the movie at the same time. They only have time and energy enough for so many things.

LadyM

January 2nd, 2007, 7:16 pm

tiodavid

January 2nd, 2007, 7:20 pm

Jen_Jen

January 2nd, 2007, 9:00 pm

Someoneold

January 2nd, 2007, 9:05 pm

It would be horrible if like NBC or some American channel tried to pull it off.

AS an American, I have to agree. The 4 major networks would make a mess of it. You be watching it & after awhile you would be wondering if there was some Harry Potter book you missed. Look what they do to stories from the Bible!!!

Saiorri

January 2nd, 2007, 9:16 pm

Ever notice when a series becomes a TV series, it loses its essence? Take for instance, the quality of the HP books vs. the so so quality of the movies. Don't get me wrong. Love the movies. But if JKR sells out and goes book>>>>>movie>>>>tv series, I don't think I can look @ HP the same. When a good idea is killed, all that is loved is killed as well. I loved the Little Mermaid, Lilo and Stitch, Aladdin and Hercules movies made by Disney and I surprisingly liked the TV shows that added on, but not everyone can capture that zing from one area to the next. Disney is the master of pimping an idea til' it's dead.

Look @ the success of my big fat greek wedding. great movie, pathetic tv show. no, I think we should leave the true filling in of the details for the books. Being in the forums keeps the story alive. Ok, maybe we can all dream for a day when JKR asks ppl to submit questions for a tell all 8th book, but keeping us guessing really is keeping the spirit of the HP books alive. If we knew all the details, what would be the fun of using our imaginations? Too many "kids" shows take all the imagination out of playing. The HP series is for imaginations, not corporations :)

kala_way

January 2nd, 2007, 9:39 pm

Maybe im the only person like that, but i would hate a harry potter tv series. The movies are good enough for me, and as slikz21 said, they should just keep doing the best they can on the movies. I mean, even if Jo approved one (and im sure nobody in the entertainment media would think of it), i dont think i would like it. HP just isn't a seies-type thing, imo.

But i bet in about 30 years when HP is all over and its a legend, theyll make some sort of tv thing. :lol:
Hmm...its an interesting thing to think about but I agree with Lady that if they did it now I would hate it.

To do it really well they'd have to have a huge budget (like the movies do) and BBC adaptions aren't exactly known for their enormous budgets. I agree that I would love to see all the characters and events played out, but I just can't imagine it coming out well at all.

I can just see a cartoon version with zinging noises in the background when spells are cast *groans* Please no!

In 30 years, it might have a chance as a series, but I don't know there's just so much epic emotion in the books that's vaguely captured on the big screen but on small screen it would just be a bit sad I think. It would be like making LOTR into a TV series, everything that makes it really amazing would be stripped away IMO.

Thinking on it, I could deal with a spin off series if it didn't try to link itself to the books. It would have to be a kids show, execs would never let a more grown up version of HP air I don't think. I could see them doing something with Fred and George and their joke shop...I wouldn't love it but I wouldn't feel totally jipped at least :shurg: :)

Comparing it to what Disney does is a bit different I think, because with them its just one short movie and they only take the characters and background, it would be like using fan fiction to make an HP series. Hugely diff from the P&P style BBC adaptions, I don't know if there's a middle ground between the two...

But I don't think JK would ever authorize such a thing (never say never I know, but...) I just can't see it.

DarwinMayflower

January 2nd, 2007, 10:20 pm

I was about to start a thread regarding this. It's not so much I'd like to see a Harry Potter TV series, but I would like to explore how it would be adapted within a traditional TV setting. Let's make this thread into a TV series thread with our own ideas as to how the series should be adapted. Usually for a 1 hour long TV series it's about 22-26 episodes for one hour long shows. We'll go for a conservative 22 episodes because that's how it usually is but extend it to 26 if needed.

This would be a nice deversion and hopefully a sucessful thread. So have at er! I think the best thing to do is basically the Pilot, what should the 2 hour premiere of Harry Potter: PS have? What chapters should be covered? When should end the 2 hour premeire?

crookshanksfan

January 2nd, 2007, 10:30 pm

I love the idea of a TV series. I wish BBC would do one in like 10 years, so the movies are all behind us and we can watch a new trio grow up over 7 seasons. They could include so much more and be more faithful to the actual plots and subplots of the books. We can see a lot of the smaller scenes that have an impact or are foreshadowing or clues. The format of 2.5 hour movies requires too much boiling down to just enough to get people into the theatres. I don't think the movies are horrible because I get to see some cool movie magic and I enjoy seeing the HP world, but being able to watch the whole thing unfold would be great. I'd rather it be a BBC thing too, because they make great adaptations and it would help stay true to the British origins of the story. It would be horrible if like NBC or some American channel tried to pull it off.
I totally agree with you! TV series in general have improved a lot over the last few years, and if they waited another few years after the 7th movie, I think the time would be right. As for the 22-26 one hour episode thing, that's not necessarily the standard. It may be the most common thing in America, but in Norway (okay, it's a small market, but still...) there is not really any specific standard number when a new series is made. And with Harry Potter being so enormously popular (hopefully that'll last until then), producers might dare to avoid the usual way of doing things and keep it faithful to whatever rendering the books demand...
Oh, it would be so great, but I must admit I don't think it'll happen...:no:

Paper_Shoes

January 2nd, 2007, 10:52 pm

DarwinMayflower

January 2nd, 2007, 10:56 pm

I think a tv show would allow them to shift the focus from Harry and on to others a bit more frequently. It would good to show more scenes involving the teachers talking, or Voldemort doing whatever. But I can't see how they could make 22 episodes and be entertaining or even mildy interesting everytime. There'd have to be a lot of stuff not in the books added for it to work.

I think maybe a mini-series would be better.
Yeah that might be good. But we should decide on something at least. Even as a mini-series there are certain lengths and standards to be upheld for the TV series. It's just that like every other thread I invade/infect, I'd like people to think beyond their normal constraints of ZOMG IT SHULD BE ON TEE VEE CCOZ DERE WILL BE MORE TIME. They don't realize that a tv series doesn't magically make things better or magically appear to be good. But we'll have to see. I'll have to mold this thread...mold it into making people think.

InvaderZimmeh

January 3rd, 2007, 3:02 am

Ehh, its a very iffy idea. I mean, seriously. With every TV series to come out, based on something or not (For example, I'll take Animorphs) it spins off of itself and becomes something entirely different. With animorphs, a 54-65 book series (if you include chronicles and megamorphs) Nickelodeon TRIED making a series off of it, and quit, i think it was a few months, maybe weeks, into it. It was too far off of the real thing. Applegate even had pictures in the front of the book as to what the characters looked like, and Nick had troubles with that. Would you want the same thing happening to our beloved world of witchcraft and wizardry? Now, if the producers could possibly find a way of preventing that, I'm all for it, but they would have to stick word for word to the book. I mean it. Scene for scene, chapter for chapter. none of the **** we deal with when it comes to the movies. Oh, I have another example. A (US) Soap that aired on ABC many years ago, Port Charles, used to be an amazing show. Near the end of the series, before it was pulled off the air, it dealt with vampires. a soap opera, the normal dramatics replaced by vampire storylines and cheesy acting. I remember watching some of the last episodes and changing the channel; that from a loyal, everyday, watcher. I really doubt the Harry Potter books becoming a tv series would be a good idea, and im glad that the chances of that happening are virtually 0 any time soon. Now the miniseries idea, I might be okay with that, as long as they stuck to the script as i mentioned above.

aggiefan1206

January 3rd, 2007, 3:14 am

Thats an interesting thought but i dont see that happening.

Sherlock Holmes

January 3rd, 2007, 3:36 am

I'll have to mold this thread...mold it into making people think.

Instead, why don't you just post your opinions on a TV series, and let the readers think for themselves.

Paper_Shoes

January 3rd, 2007, 3:53 am

Well, there's already a thread on this topic somewhere. And actually coming up with ways to make a show work is way more interesting, and could change people's minds about whether or not it'd be a good idea.

EXPELIAMUS

January 3rd, 2007, 6:03 am

The movies are good enough for me! I heard star wars will have some sort of a tv show, but I don't know if it will be animated or real.

amoeba_009

January 3rd, 2007, 6:23 am

Id love for it to happen but ONLY if it is protrayed EXACTLY as in the book, if not i rather just watch the movie.

Solaris23

January 3rd, 2007, 6:25 am

A televised series would be good, if only it would be enough to actually explore the many secondary characters that exist in the books but are cut back or edited out completely in the films, as the trio are the main point of interest there. With an episodic televised show you could maybe have a few episodes focusing on the other groups and people that have a life in and out of Hogwarts too, such as Oliver Wood and his Quidditch fanatic ways ( would make great comedy moments I reckon ) to how Marcus Flint is always so sure Slytherin will win the Cup year after year.
We could also use that time to show many places in the castle that are overlooked in the movies such as the Herbology and Rune areas, the atronomy tower and perhaps even see what the students may do in their free time on the weekends or in between classes. Also, with a school that can hold over 1000 students and has a rich and long history to go with it, and being a school of magic, ANYTHING is possible.

ep300

January 3rd, 2007, 6:35 am

this treads on dangerous territory. i think that it wouldn't be a good idea simply due to the fact that whenever they make a cartoon series out of a popular movie (or in this case: books/movies) it turns out to be a total crapfest.

weasleyizMYking

January 3rd, 2007, 6:36 am

Harry Potter TV Series?

I think definitely NOT! If the Harry Potter series became a TV show, I think it would make the books less.. well, appeasing. Honestly.. I think the movies are doing just fine. But, I just believe that a HP Show would probably turn a lot of people off of the books. I mean, come on. It would make the books seem less serious than they are!

lord_brademort

January 3rd, 2007, 1:17 pm

Harry Potter TV Series?

I think the movies are doing just fine.

OMG lol

I hate them

iamda

January 3rd, 2007, 1:25 pm

The trouble with a TV series is that unless it was made by the same people who made the films (could they make it?) it would probably contradict the film or raise loads of questions. Also what would they do about the first films? Just use the new Dumbledore?

Ben24

January 3rd, 2007, 1:26 pm

That's an interesting idea, I never thought of it. Yeah, I like the movies, but they aren't as good as they could be. GoF, in most ways, was the best, but in some ways, the worst. In the begginning, they skipped like eight or nine chapters, it was terrible. It would be cool for a TV series!

phoenixchica590

January 3rd, 2007, 2:33 pm

Why? The movies aren't perfect, but would you seriously sit down to watch Harry Potter TELEVISION every week? I probably wouldn't unless it was amazing.

Lepricon

January 3rd, 2007, 2:46 pm

It would be very nice to see a series of Harry Potter. In the movies to many things was left out.

lord_brademort

January 3rd, 2007, 7:45 pm

CorpseBride

January 3rd, 2007, 7:58 pm

I've always supported the idea of a "Harry Potter" television show. For the people who don't support, I have a few reasons (some of which might have already been posted, but I'm too lazy to search.)

1) Better/less rushed character development
2) Further details that my (and possibly your) dearly beloved friends who only go to see the movies, don't get from the movies. Discussion would be alot easier.
3) Casting. The actors wouldn't be too old. It doesn't take a year or two to make a T.V. episode.

But there are bad points too:
1) Lots of people (like myself) don't watch T.V. frequently/not at all. I'd have to DVR everything. Not cool.
2) The budget might not be as much, so special effects might be on the same quality level as Power Rangers. Remember that movies get more money than T.V. shows, because you have to pay to watch/buy them. Don't get me wrong; I'm not an expert.

That's all I have to say on the subject. Forgive me if you disagree.

MrSleepyHead

January 3rd, 2007, 8:34 pm

Normally, television series like these begin with the idea of being perfectly faithful to the book - no additions and no exclusions. However, as time progresses, because of either budget problems or else the producers/director of the show are just getting bored, they begin to cut what they think is fit and add in new things. Therefore, the series may originally think about putting in all of the tasks guarding the Stone, but after a while they might think, "Hey, why are we doing this? It's our show...not JKR's..." and instead they have the trio fight 5 dragons instead of defeat a troll. Therefore, I think that a Harry Potter television series, while it is a good idea, would be a total bust.

iamda

January 5th, 2007, 1:23 pm

I meant totally independant from the movies :)

If it was independant would you want different actors/acresses? If so what would happen to the Harry Potter image with DR ect.

lord_brademort

January 5th, 2007, 3:46 pm

I don't know what would happen, I really really can't stand Daniel Radcliffe's acting, e is terrible. And although Emma Watson is better, she just isn't convincing most of the time.

If the TV series ever did happen (which it won't, sadly), I would be expecting an entirely new trio, who have uncommon acting skills.
The films also totally ruin the character's characterisations, there are so many examples I won't even begin to list them but I'm sure you know what I mean.

Wimsey

January 5th, 2007, 5:02 pm

I think Harry Potter would be so much better portrayed as a high-budget TV series, as opposed to a two-and-a-half hour long movie for each book.

The TV series could have a chapter or two in each episode, that way, everything in the books, all the sub-plot details, everything that makes a HP book amazing to read could be included.

This would not work. Each episode (or pair of episodes for occassional two-parters) would have to be a self-contained story, just as each book in the HP series is a self-contained story.

An example of a series that tried to do this (before it imploded on its own hubris and a very disingenuous presentation of the over-arching plot) is Babylon 5. They had two types of stories: "arch" stories, in which the overall plot was advanced by a particular tale, and non-arch stories: i.e., just a single 47 minute story set on a space station. However, even the arch-stories were their own tales: i.e., they each were about something different, just as each Harry Potter book is about something different. Each had its own plot, with begining, buildup and resolution.

The current show Lost is another example: each episode is its own little story, with a distinct theme (story) and plot. Yes, there are arch-stories (in fact, most of them are arch-stories), but each one focuses on particular character and shows parallels between what is happening currently on the island with events in that character's past.

So, an HP series would have to drastically alter Rowling's stories so that each chapter became it's own story, with a distinct plot and resolution (with possible two-parters, but that just postpones things). A 20-part presentation of the story just would not appeal to people.

I'm really not a fan of the movies, I know that they can't include everything, but I honestly think they're doing bad jobs of them so far. PoA was the ultimate ****-take in my book; they left so much of the plot out it was unbelievable (IMO).

Actually, PoA did not omit any of the plot. It omitted a lot of narrative: i.e., things that JKR wrote in order to present the story, much as the way cinematic things are done in movies (or on TV) to present those stories. Things like the Marauders, Quidditch, etc., are narrative details, but they do not contribute to the plot except insofar as the movies used them.

Indeed, the one thing that the movies have shown is that people want less Potter, not more. PoA and GoF both were much more popular with the people who saw the films than were the first two movies. The reason why audiences plummeted so drastically after the first film is that people thought that the first movie had way too many details and was much too long. (It had horrifically slow pacing, too.) As a result, they did not see any story or plot: yes, it was there, but the useless scenes obfuscated them.

Harry Potter stories and plots simply are not that complex: the first two could have been done in 90 minutes by a competent director, and even GoF or Order do not require much more than two hours.

Oliverlvr20

January 5th, 2007, 10:30 pm

I think it would be good, to go more in depth for things that the movies couldn't cover.

lord_brademort

January 11th, 2007, 4:39 pm

Actually, PoA did not omit any of the plot.

The Marauders
Mention of the original prophecy
Fortescue (which looks as though it could be important seeing as though he has gone missing in HBP)

There are bound to be more, but I am in college right now and don't have the book to hand.

But instead, Cuaron decided to add the stupid shrunken heads and Hermione being swung around by the flipping Whomping Willow which "mysteriously" moved since CoS and so many more things that just did not need to be in the movie.

hermyweasly

January 12th, 2007, 11:31 am

It's a good idea actually and it will be more detailed cause it won't need to rush like the movies. :)

Wimsey

January 13th, 2007, 12:35 am

The Marauders
Mention of the original prophecy
Fortescue (which looks as though it could be important seeing as though he has gone missing in HBP)

Those are narrative details, not parts of the plot. There is a big difference! None of them affect the plot of PoA. The original prophecy plays no role at all, and nor does Fortescue. The plot point about the map in PoA is established once Lupin says that he knows that it is a map: the audience then knows how Lupin can see Pettigrew on the map later; how Lupin knows is no more relevant to the plot than how Fred & George know. Trust me, the audience does not much care.

Also, PoA could not introduce plot elements for other movies. People won't remember them afterwards, so they have to be introduced de novo in the movie in which they become important. The failure to properly reintroduce Polyjuice Potion in GoF was one of the few consistent complaints about GoF. Chekov's Dictum has a converse: if you are going to fire a gun in scene 2, make sure that it was introduced in scene 1!

It's a good idea actually and it will be more detailed cause it won't need to rush like the movies.

But would it hold the audiences attentions? People like stories to be told concisely in whatever medium it is told. Also, remember that there would have to be drastic rewriting: each episode would have to be a self-contained story. Even "arc" series like Lost, Babylon 5 or The X-Files were not single stories, but a series of stories, with each one having its own theme, plot and resolution.

Padfoots_godson

January 13th, 2007, 1:09 am

Also, PoA could not introduce plot elements for other movies. People won't remember them afterwards, so they have to be introduced de novo in the movie in which they become important. The failure to properly reintroduce Polyjuice Potion in GoF was one of the few consistent complaints about GoF. Chekov's Dictum has a converse: if you are going to fire a gun in scene 2, make sure that it was introduced in scene 1!

I would like to add to this, about not reintroducing the Polyjuice Potion, because I agree.It actually was reintroduced, Snape said something to Harry about it before telling him of Veritaserum. He mentioned the same ingresients from the second movie. If they can be that obvious and not notice it would nover work putting things in that will come up in other movies.

Wimsey

January 13th, 2007, 3:07 am

Snape said something to Harry about it before telling him of Veritaserum. He mentioned the same ingresients from the second movie. If they can be that obvious and not notice it would nover work putting things in that will come up in other movies.

The problem was that they never said what Polyjuice Potion was. The name and the ingredients were not relevant: they might have been mentioned in the second movie (although I do not remember if the ingredients were!), but audiences would not remember that. The bigger problem is that the name and the ingredients are uninformative: what they needed to be told was what Polyjuice Potion was!

A TV series would also run into this. They could not assume that audiences remembered things from prior weeks. Shows like Lost deal with this by showing a brief montage of "Previously, on Lost. That would be one solution. However, there would have to be a lot of repetition from one week to the next.

The biggest problem is that for a series to work, each episode has to stand alone. Sure, it can contribute to an overarching plot and/or story, but each one (unless there are two-parters) has to be its own story and plot. That would require far more radical revision of the books than the movies do. They probably would have to invent little side stories for Harry et al. to pursue.

The other problem is the single protagonist narrative. It actually limits the story: the fact that the narrative focus never deviates from Harry really limits the movies. (GoF did give us one non-Harry scene, but that was it.) Episodes with the narrative focus on different characters would be needed. For example, just imagine how dull Lost would be if it focused on Jack every week. So, a series would have to invent Hermione-centric, Ron-centric, etc. stories to make it bearable. This strategy was pursued in other TV series based on books. Usually they start with a pilot that is an adaptation of the book (or one of the books), similar to the current movies. Subsequent episodes then were loosely based on things in the book. Little House on the Prairie is a good example of this. It ran for a few years, and events from the books did crop up in the series. However, the episodes were not chapters of the books: each was its own story. They also removed the narrative focus from Laura so that although she was the #1 character, episodes focused on other members of the Wilder Family.

Dan21

January 13th, 2007, 3:45 pm

I'd be a loyal viewer. :drool:

wizardjordan19

January 13th, 2007, 4:17 pm

That's not too bad of an Idea, but what do you think of "Harry Potter The Musical" :td: **** now that would suck.

EBJ23

January 17th, 2007, 8:56 pm

I don't think I would want there to be a TV show. I would think it would be hard to set the books up into episodes, like how they would do a beginning or an ending. It would just be better to just have them as movies.

VeelanBeauty

January 18th, 2007, 4:57 am

It is an encouraging notion...but whoever initially runs the project, for a Harry Potter tv series, would seriously have to have their heart in it. Someone who, themselves, are a fan of the books. I'm sitting on the fence about the success of the movies in comparison to the granduer of the books. While the movies are deliberately modified, sometimes fustrating, and sometimes lack the spirit of the books. I must admit I enjoy them immensely none the less, so I do support the idea of a tv series. Plus! Depending on when/if a tv series is ever commenced, it's a chance for a new generation, or new people to take part in it. i.e. new casting, auditioning for previously discarded parts in the movies.

Alains

January 18th, 2007, 2:19 pm

I don't like TV series very much, because I miss thenm always. And thats totally unfunny to watch the 3. serie when you've missed the 1. and 2.

Wizard_Pupil

January 18th, 2007, 2:25 pm

I like the TV-serie idea too!
Perhaps, once the movies are finished, the TV serie will keep this alive.

kylecisnum1

January 18th, 2007, 5:01 pm

i couldnt see this happening until all the movies have been made and maybe a little bit after that.

Wab

January 18th, 2007, 5:07 pm

Assuming that the books were serialised into a series per year (based on the US system of 13 eps a season) and each episode was a timeslot 30 minutes. By the time you churn through the ads and titles you'll have about 22 miniutes per week or roughly 4.5 hours or 9 if you have hour-long episodes. Even if you include every comma and aside there is no way known that the books could stretch to that length and engage the sort of audience needed to justify the expense.

tiodavid

January 18th, 2007, 5:31 pm

Any alternate medium for HP will require some adjustments. But a BBC series that came down the line like a decade after HPDH is released would be wonderful. It would have to be approached as more of a mini-series since we'll know how it's going to end. Naturally some things may need to be edited slightly, but with more time flexibility than a 2 hour film required to dedicate alot of screen time to special effects, editing chapters or areas of the books into scenes and episodes should be very feasible. And there would still be the flexibility of hour and 2 hour long specials. I think the audience (and money) would be there. I know I am going to be in for quite an HP fix by then. The books will continue to sell. HP/SS still sells a ridiculous amount of copies a year.

RainyDays

January 18th, 2007, 8:58 pm

I think it would be cool to have a TV series about it. But writing the script could be a lot of hard work. But seeing the group's day to day activies might be interesting.

portage

January 19th, 2007, 5:05 am

i have to agree i think that you also should make Harry Potter in to a t.v. seris and not just a movie. if you make it into a t.v. show you can get a better idea of the story itself and the plot. you then also put in the stuff that was edited of the the movie. if you wanted to inculed the parts in to the show or as bloopers at the end. but in my opion i think that the stuff that was edited should go in to the t.v. show.:gryff: :lol:

YellowRose

January 20th, 2007, 11:10 am

I'd love to see an animated series. You could get around the problem of cheap special effects...and it wouldn't matter how old the voice-actors are.

Eric_Cartman

January 20th, 2007, 5:22 pm

It would be VERY difficult to make TV episodes because they would HAVE to invent things in order to contrive endings/revelations for each episode. Look at Lost, they have a story that they're following but they have to make up so much stuff to fill the episodes, but that's OK because it isn't based on anything, with HP everyone would be up in arms because they would have to deviate from Jo's story a lot.

Someoneold

January 20th, 2007, 5:54 pm

It would be VERY difficult to make TV episodes because they would HAVE to invent things in order to contrive endings/revelations for each episode.

I don't know if any of you read the Little House on the Pararie books - thats a perfect example.:rolleyes:

Rag

January 20th, 2007, 8:16 pm

I think Harry Potter would be so much better portrayed as a high-budget TV series, as opposed to a two-and-a-half hour long movie for each book.

I completely agree. The whole reason I just visited this forum was to start a thread on this but looks like you got there first! I do enjoy the films, but I reckon an animated (NOT this new digital animation, but more like disney or something) would look awesome for Harry Potter stories!

Raven_Girly

January 21st, 2007, 4:03 am

Argh, I'm not really sure how I feel about the idea of a TV series. The only time it would ever happen would be after the movies are done and by then it would seem they were just dragging the whole HP thing out a bit too much. I'm not sure how they would deal with it anyway...would it be based on the actual books, or occur at a time before or after the series? Would it even follow Harry and co.? I highly doubt the movie actors would sign on for a TV series so we'd be getting completely new actors, which would be weird and annoying. Yea, so I'm not really liking the idea too much...

I'd love to see an animated series. You could get around the problem of cheap special effects...and it wouldn't matter how old the voice-actors are.
I'd prefer an animated TV series than a live action one. When I imagine a live action one in my head, I can't help but thinking it would turn out really really bad.

Padfoot_Returns

January 23rd, 2007, 9:58 pm

I would like HP better as a movie rather than a TV show. I would be nice though if the movies cames as frequent as if it were a TV show.

lord_brademort

April 1st, 2007, 11:51 pm

Yes, but an animated series would take away some of the seriousness of it; already there is a large number of people of think Harry Potter is a bunch of hocus pocus kids fairytale rubbish.

We know it's not, and to stop that opinion spreading further, I think any on screen adaptation of Harry Potter would have to be live action.

AL_Patterson

April 2nd, 2007, 12:28 am

I think it's a really cool idea. I've actually said this before. But after the films are done, I'd like to see them recreate them in animation form for TV(I could care less if people think it's childish). And they could use the Illustrator's designs for character designs for the show. It would be way more faithful than the films, and they could add a snippet in every now and then when it calls for it.

As for live action, I wouldn't mind seeing them do that in a prequel show for the Marauders.

Oh, and if a-season-a-school-year is too long, then it could be a mini series

xhanax315

April 7th, 2007, 11:40 pm

I think it would be awesome if someone took the time to do it. I would definitely watch it as long as its not too cheesy.

Montse

April 8th, 2007, 2:33 am

That would have been a great idea,and it coul have bee faith ful to the book,but now it wont happen.

falling_cookie

April 8th, 2007, 5:36 am

I think a TV series would be cool to have but it would be rather hard to put everything together to make it flow for a whole series.

The best thing to do would be a mini series or a BBC adaptation. I remember I watched a Pride & Prejudice adaptation done by the BBC (the one with Colin Firth) and it was really faithful to the book. It was six hours but that could be split up for a mini series.

Infinity9999x

April 8th, 2007, 5:32 pm

I think this could be a really cool idea. If they planned it out for a seven year thing, whith each individual book being a season, they could get into the little details even more. It would also alow Jo to show things that she was forced to cut from the books. If done right I think it could be better then the movies.

ginnyluv

April 9th, 2007, 10:06 am

starting from sorcerers/philosiphers stone up to now and onto the the end yes i agree i guess then you don't have to cut out as much i suppose ..BUT alot that they cut out is not releveant to the main plot anyway so its fine:cool:

LeanneJO

April 9th, 2007, 10:42 am

Bring it on, it would be great, animation or live action!

Nivek_Rotcor

April 11th, 2007, 6:28 pm

I think, if HP was to be a TV series, it would have to be animated. Something along the lines of Avatar: The Last Airbender. Of course, without the cheezy faces that are sometimes made. This would help cut down on the special effects. The cost of doing a live TV series would be way to expensive.
I don't think a TV series will happen. Remember, a TV series will not replace your imagination.

Keep reading!!

tonkscrazy

April 11th, 2007, 6:48 pm

i think it would be great to watch this series if it was about harry's life , after the seventh book...
that would be cool...;)

Vampire_Girl

April 11th, 2007, 10:53 pm

I wouldn't mind seeing a TV show about other people in the same world...but I don't think I'd want to see Harry and the others...because I doubt that they'd be able to take the books and be able to turn them into a TV series, because not only would they need a common theme to span a season, but each individual episode has to have its own plot, and I can't see that going all that well.

DefyingGravity2

April 11th, 2007, 11:55 pm

Ew, no. I would hate that. Can you imagine what they'd do to it? I wouldn't doubt it if they completely ruined it. :no:

Merlock

April 12th, 2007, 1:10 am

It would be interesting to see the books portrayed as a television series, however, if they were to ever consider making one, which is very unlikely, it might actually provide more of the storyline and missing pieces from the books that the movies donot contain. There is a possibility somehow, that if a show was in fact made that they may have more time and could stretch the show into many seasons. However, it's most wise, for now, to keep to the movies since I think they've done a wonderful adaption of the books so far, and with a televison show it might actually be a little different. Plus, there's the fact that the producers might want to take more liberties with the story and the characters and that could change a lot, but I would hope that they would still stay under that specific Harry Potter guideline.

Terrance

April 12th, 2007, 1:13 am

NO! they'd absolutely ruin wat harry potter brought to the world. :no:

Lillbet

April 12th, 2007, 1:23 am

It could happen. They did a really great production of "The Lion The Witch and The Wardrobe" in the late 80's, and recently a new version of the "Dune" series was released on DVD. I think that if the books and movies prove their staying power (and keep enticing new fans into the fold) it's entirely possible that HP would be reshot.

LordJackSparrow

April 12th, 2007, 1:44 am

it probably would not turn out very well.ut i still have hope that JK will write some kind of spin-off books.

TheExiledOracle

April 16th, 2007, 9:13 pm

I dunno i'd like to see some sort of tv version, but live action not animated, i know there isn't likely going to be one but it's a nice idea. to be honest i'm not all too pleased with the films so that's probably why...

But then again if there was a tv series i don't think it would be about Harry, i think it would be brilliant if it was set in the time of the Marauders.

It would be great because we know from the books that they had all sorts of adventures in the castle and got up to a bit of troublmaking so most of the plots involving their schemes could be made up, but the significant stuff could be included like snapes worst memory. i think it would be interesting to follow them around in school and stuff and see how sirius james and peter found out about remus's werewolf problem and how hot headed potter fell in love with lilly... that sort of thing. It would also be good to see them once they left school, and how the potters died, that could be the end of the series. Although it could be set in their last year and see them leaving school or something idk

If not there could also be a short featurette about the founders...

But i definatly think the Marauders would be a good idea... (i know i got a bit carried away there)

MagiYellowMatt

April 18th, 2007, 6:51 pm

I'm more for tehe idea of an animated series. But instead of following the guidelines for American television, let it be an anime and follow Japanese broadcast styles (there's no summer of reruns, new episodes air continually once a week throughout the year). A lot of the Harry Potter fanart I see is stylized as anime and I think this could really work. Each book would be it's own individual series (with it's own individual opening and ending sequences) and each chapter would be it's own episode. Since most anime series generally run in the range of 20-30 episodes a series (and 40-50 are not unheard of), each Harry Potter book would fit nicely into this style. If each chapter from books 1-6 combined were made into an individual episode, it would be up to 162 episodes at that point, and many anime series have gone far beyond that. Animation is also a great alternative because it wouldn't require as large of a budget, but a budget given to it of a live-action show would result in a much higher quality product.

popcornzyum

May 11th, 2007, 7:57 pm

Ew, no. I would hate that. Can you imagine what they'd do to it? I wouldn't doubt it if they completely ruined it. :no:

Totally agree with you. i think making a TV series would be a humungous :td:
it would end up being one of those ones (in the uk) like eastenders...where everyone likes it at first. but then it turns into one of those ones that everone takes the **** out of.

HouseStark

June 17th, 2007, 6:00 am

If it ever happens, please dear god let it be on HBO. Everything made by HBO is always better than any other channel's shows.

Melfina

June 17th, 2007, 4:57 pm

Making it a mini series would probably be dissapointing, but I'd still watch it! I'd have to laugh at whatever actors were filling in the big roles of the trio.

I wouldn't mind seeing a graphic novel of Harry Potter, or even an artbook filled with all the preproduction illustrations and storyboards of the movies.

sticky

June 17th, 2007, 5:10 pm

i think it would be really bad. i dunno it just would be worse. it would be one fo those things where you like it but then it gets boring..a bit like soaps. i prefer the films...

HPKatina

June 17th, 2007, 8:21 pm

Gandalf_Shaw

June 18th, 2007, 5:57 pm

I think it would be neat at first, but then like all series ideas would run out and people would get confused.

Much like fanfiction, ideas could clash with statements made in the book.

Although, I would love to see some of the characters that they neglected to place into the movie. Hehe. >=]

I wanna see Winky!!! :love:

I think it would ultimately spoil the books, but I agree I would love to see more of the characters that were neglected in the movies in order to cut down the running time. I think if a series was ever made it should be treated with respect, rather like how Ricky Gervais made The Office in England. A couple of series of top-class revolutionary writing and then not spoil it by dragging it out for 9 seasons.

Amanda101

June 18th, 2007, 6:05 pm

I, too, doubt that they would make a TV series about it. But I think it woudl be amazing. I love the books, so much more than the movies, and yes, the movies do leave quite a bit of detail, plot and depth out. I would love if they made a tv series, just to include everything, that would be one TV series I wouldn't think twice about spending my money on (to get the series on DVD).

The one thing though, that I am grateful for when it comes to the movies, is that it helped in the beginning visualizing the characters. I have always been an avid reader, but I got the books when I was 12 (and I remember I couldn't prounounce Hermione, and Kept calling her (in my head) Hair-my-ney, *****). As the fourth, fifth, and sixth, now the seventh books come out the movies generally annoy me becuase I can visualize what I want, and when I see it in a movie it takes away my imagination. Like looking at previews for the Fifth movie, that is definately not how I imagined Umbridge, or Luna.

For the movies though, they did choose great actors, and it's a believable story, as far as talent goes.

On a side note, one thing that bothers me is when people want to discuss Harry Potter in depth with me, when all they have done was see the movie, and never read the book. :P

imacheeto

June 18th, 2007, 6:10 pm

idk, if it was a tv show the sp fx wudnt be as good....

lillink

June 18th, 2007, 6:11 pm

I always wanted this when I was a little kid, but I really don't think it would work. Harry Potter may have been written in 6 books and so is somewhat episodic, but you can't go and take a book and divide it in parts again. It'd also be hard to balance it between an adult and a child audience.

rogues311

June 18th, 2007, 6:14 pm

It's ridiculous. I would never want this to happen

PHOENIX_ENFLAME

June 18th, 2007, 9:00 pm

don't hold your breath.

troryfan

July 4th, 2007, 4:17 pm

I think that would probably be really bad.
They did that for Cruel Intentions, and it was awful!

Jo

quiditchwitch

July 4th, 2007, 9:36 pm

When I first read this, I suddenly imagined Harry Potter with a laugh track and a bad "that 70s Show"-ish set.

It would be pretty good if they did like Made for TV movie instalments but as Imacheeto points out:

idk, if it was a tv show the sp fx wudnt be as good....

which is very very true. I think the movies, however less faithful they may be, are still the best avenue.

flickerandfade

July 4th, 2007, 9:46 pm

For me, it seems that they've watered the books down alot for the films. It's not only the fact that they've omitted things that really shouldn't have been omitted, but it's the portrayal of some of the characters and situations themselves. I don't find Snape to be as sinister as I'd like and I find Draco to be in the films more for comic value, which has especially annoyed me due to things that happen in HBP. I think it could be done excellently if it were to be done in a vein similar to the last three series' of Doctor Who - in that it could be violent and in places pretty scary (for a younger audience), but still be enjoyed generally as a family show.

withewrings

July 4th, 2007, 10:03 pm

I'm glad I'm not the only one who thinks this is a good idea. I think it'd be much better on TV then in movies. It's not going to happen though (at least not for a few decades, I'd guess).

_LordVoldemort_

July 5th, 2007, 4:08 am

An animated series would be great. But only if the animations were done by Genndy Tartakovsky. Wikipedia him to see his work.

mrsweasley51490

July 5th, 2007, 6:00 am

it would only be good if it wasnt about harry potter but it was about a wizard who goes to a wizard school and all of his girl problems and growing up issues. we could call it "wizard meets world" or"W.I.Z.A.R.D.S." but if it were about the books it would be lame.

cbears34

July 26th, 2007, 6:26 pm

I was just wondering if people would be interested in a TV series based in the HP World, not Harry Potter but a different set of kids going to Hogwarts and their school days there. You could have a growing evil in the world that would be to basic subplot with minor plots for episodes and each year of school could be a season. Just peoples thoughts.

BrotherCool

July 27th, 2007, 2:24 am

think animated series... er... a faithful animated series

firebolt55

July 27th, 2007, 3:23 am

the books and movies are the way to go, a series would just cripple the characters, besides doing a series (tv) wouldn't make the anticipation as great. The movies do the book justice and the Books will always be better then anything they could ever come up with in Hollywood anyhow....
Thanks JKR for making such a wonderful book series

Chrisbee05

July 27th, 2007, 10:21 pm

I also think that an animated series about other kids going to Hogwarts would be cool for a younger audience. I don't think they should do anything with the trio, but maybe other witches and wizards, from other families. I'm not very creative so I can't really think of what any of the magical plots could be, but if done well, it could be interesting.

As far as any other kind of HP series, I think it might be kind of corny, for lack of better word. To me the books are very in-depth and serious and I just can't see a TV series being as thorough as JKR's writing or the movies.

CrimsonFire

July 27th, 2007, 10:25 pm

MOODYGIRL

July 27th, 2007, 10:29 pm

i think it would be really bad. i dunno it just would be worse. it would be one fo those things where you like it but then it gets boring..a bit like soaps. i prefer the films...

Yes i am with you on that one my friend.

cbears34

July 28th, 2007, 2:40 am

I still think the best way to do a TV series based on HP would be to do it total seperate of the current HP timeline, a whole new class of kids going through Hogwarts with no connection to Harry, like Hogwarts 30 years later, a kinda of Hogwarts 90210 with a Smallville, Buffy the vampire slayer twist. Each year of school would be a season. The major plot would be a new dark Lord is coming ,the kids must face new enemies and creatures that he is sending to Hogwarts to get the Elder Wand or some other magical artifact. The kids could talk about HP's days at Hogwarts like as a legend to encourage them, and if Neville is still alive at the time the producers could use him as a teacher that kids could all have and talk to. You could it either do it live action or animated, I would prefer live action, but animated would probably be cheaper.

Another way you could do it is to follow the Marauders's (James, Sirius, Remus and Lily) time a school up to the day Voldemort comes after the Potters. Look at Smallville, it's kinda of a prequel to the Superman movies with Clark growing up learning about his powers with his friends in tow. I thinkk both ideas could work and the wouldn't take from the books or current movies. What do you all think?

Robiola

July 30th, 2007, 8:41 pm

I was kinda thrilled when I saw this thread, because just today I was thinking - wouldn't it be great if someone made the HP books into one of those monstrously long miniseries (this one would run for months!) so they could include everything from the books without having to condense and cut left and right leaving out so many of the subplots and details that make JKR's fantasy world so wonderful... wonder if anyone's ever thought of it? Well, it seems that a lot of people have thought of it! So come on, let's start flooding BBC wih requests (they're tops with this stuff, I find) and maybe in a few years we'll see our HP series!

maisis00

July 30th, 2007, 9:04 pm

I said it several years ago and I still feel it the case. But I my opinion we will never get to see the whole thing as Jo envisioned it in the books unless it is done as some sort of unabridged animated format. There is too much in these books to get an accurate and true depiction in live action form. I would love to see this happen. They could almost make it one episode per chapter. I think this is the only way will ever see an unabridged visual representation of the Harry Potter universe.

Trevelyan

July 30th, 2007, 10:17 pm

the idea of a tv series is great but you wont get the full visual satisfaction as you would in a movie. all the great visual details would be missing because 1 they are on a tight budget and two it takes a very long time to all the digital stuff( creating flying objects, green screen, etc.)

Ginny1984

July 30th, 2007, 11:03 pm

I think that the idea of a HP series is fantastic! You would get much more of the important details than you do with the films! I can actually see it happening in the distant future as well!!!!!

jedimonkey

July 30th, 2007, 11:16 pm

I like the idea of a 3d animated mini series of the books, sort of like the way they did Dune. If they do it like Dune then it would be good because the miniseries Dune stayed very true to the book.

cbears34

July 31st, 2007, 2:31 am

Well I am kinda bummed I thought you guys would like my ideas, but that's ok. I do agree with you a more complete version of the books would be nice, I can't see it being done live action but animated I do.

JamesThePeach

July 31st, 2007, 2:39 am

I would hat if they, like, turned it 'Dawsons Creek' or whatever, because that would totally ruin everything.

But will the right directors and producers (Gough Millar?), 50 years down the road, it could be the biggest hit show (if we still had TVs 50 years down the road of course).

It would change a lot of plot still probably, but I'd tune in!

Auror Williamson

July 31st, 2007, 4:26 pm

I would have supported the idea of a highly detailed televion show if there wasn't already a highly successful movie franchise in progress. What with the upcoming sham theme park, I'll say that the novels are already being destroyed by corporations.

Drazer

July 31st, 2007, 5:17 pm

I'd rather they left that out. Probably end up with badly rendered cgi like Doctor Who. I'd rather stay with the books and films.

Although... Harry Potter. The Auror Tales. It would be like a murder mystery.

Snapes_Girl

August 2nd, 2007, 5:02 am

Some things are better left alone. I think it shouldn't go any further than creating movies based on the books.

RemusPotter

September 7th, 2007, 5:24 pm

Do you think there will be some Harry Potter Spinn-off cartoons or tv series? Something Like the Legions of Super Heroes or something?

Wright1771

September 11th, 2007, 8:57 am

Not a TV series...a Mini series, of about 3 parts for the first book, and do it 'word for word and scene for scene'!
They don't have to worry about props....they've got them, just find a new cast, and we're on our way!

leena

September 11th, 2007, 9:42 am

I'd say it'd depend because if they did mini-series of the books then they could be good but if it was just a lets make up or own stories after a while it would get lame etc

Half_Blood26

September 16th, 2007, 11:39 pm

I'd say it'd depend because if they did mini-series of the books then they could be good but if it was just a lets make up or own stories after a while it would get lame etc

Exactly, I would rather that they did a Chapter-By-Chapter of the books, and then make up their own stuff when they get out of school.

skullangel

October 21st, 2007, 8:13 am

TV Series is good but it has to be done RIGHT...

Word for word if possible, a new cast will make or break a series, a set of mini series by the BBC would be briliant, a good example is the stuff they show at hallmark. An interesting twist would be a series post DH but!... Of course it has to be JKR approved or no one is watching it...

Heck if they could make a star wars series or terminator series, a HP series would be nice! if done right.

Kartsy

October 21st, 2007, 9:02 am

Actually,I don't know what to think about this Harry Potter TV series because half of me think that it is a good idea that could be accomplished while the other part of me says that it is aterrible idea that should not be done as the movies are not as what most of us expected it to be.

On the whole I think it is a great idea that should not be abandoned as it gives us a way to think that anything is possible.

_Flagrate_

October 21st, 2007, 11:37 am

A simple, yet effective word from the English dictionary comes to mind when a HP TV series is mentioned. I'd like to share it with you all. And that word is:

OVERKILL!

Yes we all want more Potter, every fan of something huge wants more because we're all greedy so and sos. But a HP TV series? Nah.

Ok the movies didn't show everything we would of liked. But so what? What book to film adaptation has? Things have to be changed and cut and yes I know it's a bummer. But so?

They did a TV series, they would have to introduce a whole new cast. We've been living with a cast for the best part of what 10 years? We got to know them and I think it's hard to imagine anyone else in their parts, yet we'd have to for a series. Not only that the series would be at least twice as long to do as the film, especially if its a high quality as some of you suggest it'd need to be, then the cast would either have to be replaced so they don't look too old or they would just have to look about 10 years older than they should.

Nah, a TV series would be killing it. On the other hand, a remake of the Potter films, in the detail that was put into the first set, but completely by the book, in, lets say 10-15 years time would be a better idea.

It's just too much. Why can't you all be satisfied with the books, an encyclopedia and the films? We as HP fans want too much. And too much of a good thing, is never good.

loonyluna0114

October 21st, 2007, 4:32 pm

I dont think it would be a big hit really.
Cos it would ahve to be aimed at kids as theyre the main audience, that means it wouldnt have as big abudget because these things rarely do, plus it would be on at a dodgy time of day, som any adult fans would be unable to watch it. The money just wouldnt be able to do it justice, however it would be good to see the stuff that they cut out of the movies, besides, who would play the main trio? It would be weird seeing someone else playing their parts after having radcliffe watson and grint for so long

ArryGrotter

October 21st, 2007, 9:09 pm

I once thought that it would be really good IF it followed the books. But now I think it'd be horrible

skellingtonfan

October 22nd, 2007, 2:10 am

I agree. I think a tv series would be a horrible idea. it would be like trying to make Star Wars a tv series. that wouldn't fly either. Keep it to the books and movies please!

hplova15165

October 22nd, 2007, 2:37 am

I dunno, I'd have to watch it. But only if it followed the books and if Jo wrote the scripts. It'd have to be done right.

I agree with the fact that it'd be weird to have someone else play Harry, Ron, Hermione and the rest of them. Only if the stars from the movies played these rolls then I'd watch. Otherwise, it'd just ruin the books and the way people think about Harry Potter.

lovehedwig

October 22nd, 2007, 3:19 am

In my opinion, a TV series would be off. It just wouldn't flow as much as a movie would. I hate watching things in parts, if that makes sense. Having the book in "episodes" wouldn't be the best, because people will probably forget little but important parts from the previous episodes. I don't know if I'm making sense, but I just think a series isn't a good idea.
But it all actually depends. Who knows? Maybe a TV series will be better. If the episodes started and ended like chapters in the book, it could actually work. And if they follow the book and include sub-plots the movie neglects, then it could be a hit.
I'm half and half on the idea. Even though I think it's a bad idea, I'd probably still watch it if it was on TV, just to see if it's good. :tu:

Thoive

October 23rd, 2007, 3:58 pm

I don't think it would ever actually happen but I actually imagined a TV show before the movies. Not sure how it would work, but they'd definitely be able to put more information in that way.

ArryGrotter

November 17th, 2007, 9:13 pm

HARRY POTTER

“Pilot”

TEASER

INT./EXT. 4 PRIVET DRIVE - MORNING - 1/11/1981

WIDE HELICOPTER SHOT of the neighbourhood around Privet Drive. TWO OWLS speed past. The CAMERA RUSHES DOWN, DOWN until it is FOLLOWING THE PATHWAY. Suddenly a TABBY CAT is WALKING ALONG WITH THE CAMERA. The camera RISES and TURNS so that 4 PRIVET DRIVE is visible. The cat makes itself comfortable on a BRICK WALL. Another OWL flies past in the background.

EXT. LITTLE WHINGING/PRIVET DRIVE - MORNING - 1/11/1981

CLOSE UP SHOT of an EXTREMELY BORING TIE. Camera zooms out to see the reflection of VERNON DURSLEY, a man in his early in a MIRROR. He picks up his SUITCASE and walks over to his wife, PETUNIA DURSLEY, also in her early 20s, and his one year old son, DUDLEY DURSLEY. Petunia gives Dudley a BOWL OF CEREAL. Dudley drops it on the floor. Vernon chuckles to himself.

VERNON DURSLEY
Little tyke

BABY DUDLEY DURSLEY
Shan't!

Petunia suddenly rushes right next to Dudley, so that her face is an inch away from his.

PETUNIA DURSLEY
What did you say?

Pause.

BABY DUDLEY DURSLEY
Shan't!

PETUNIA DURSLEY
Vernon. Vernon! Did you hear that? His first word!

Petunia hugs Dudley.

VERNON DURSLEY
I'd better get to work. I'm expecting a large order of Vernon kisses Petunia on the cheek.

Yeah, I can't be bothered formating the rest.

PETUNIA DURSLEY
Have a good day.
Vernon leaves. Petunia scrunches up her nose as she picks up the bowl of cereal. She walks over to the KITCHEN SINK and dumps it in there. Then she pulls the CURTAIN back from the KITCHEN WINDOW and peers through it.
EXT. 4 PRIVET DRIVE - THE SAME TIME - MORNING - 1/11/1981
As Vernon unlocks the front door of HIS CAR (manually), he notices the tabby cat on the opposite fence. It is reading a MAP. Vernon shakes his head and gets into the car. As he turns his head to reverse he notices the cat is staring at him. He stares back, and then drives off, ignoring the cat.
EXT. SURREY - MINUTES LATER - MORNING - 1/11/1981
Vernon is drumming his fingers on the STEERING WHEEL. The camera shows that the TRAFFIC LIGHT is still red. It now allows for a GROUP OF PEOPLE to be shown below it, wearing CLOAKS. Vernon looks suspicious, nervous and panicked.
INT. GRUNNINGS - MIDDAY - 1/11/1981
Vernon is at work. He is in the middle of yelling at one of the workers.
VERNON DURSLEY
...and next time, don't misplace the drills, or there won't be a next time!
GRUNNINGS WORKER 1
Yes, sir.
The Grunnings worker nods and walks out of Vernon's office. Vernon sits in his CHAIR, which doesn't face the WINDOW. Vernon is incredible pleased with himself. In the window, an OWL flies by. Vernon looks at a photograph of him, Petunia and Dudley. He then checks his watch, and walks out, calling to the nearest person.
VERNON DURSLEY
Going to the bakers, in case anyone wants to know where I am.
EXT. BAKERS/SURREY - SECONDS LATER - MIDDAY - 1/11/1981
Vernon emerges from the BAKERS holding a DOUGHNUT. As he begins to eat it, CLOAKED PEOPLE, different from those he saw earlier, come in his direction. Vernon gets angry. As the cloaked people get closer, Vernon hears some of the conversation.
CLOAKED PERSON 1
The Potters, that's right, that's what I heard...
CLOAKED PERSON 2
...yes, their son, Harry...
Vernon stops dead, shocked with fear.
INT. GRUNNINGS - MINUTES LATER - MIDDAY - 1/11/1981
Vernon picks up the PHONE, and then puts it back down. He picks it up again, his finger nearing a button. His finger stays there for a while, but the phone is placed back on the receiver. On the third time, the phone manages its way to his ear. His finger is back, just above the button. The camera shown us it is labelled 'Home'. There is a knock on the open door.
GRUNNINGS WORKER 2
Mr Dursley?
Vernon quickly looks up to the worker and back to the phone, then shoves the phone back in its original place.
EXT. GRUNNINGS/SURREY - SUNSET - 1/11/1981
Looking flustered, Vernon makes his way to his car. He accidentally bumps into someone.
VERNON DURSLEY
Sorry.
The person turns around, it is a cloaked person.
CLOAKED PERSON 3
Don't be sorry my dear sir, for nothing could upset me today! Rejoice, for You-Know-Who has gone at last! Even Muggles like yourself should be celebrating, this happy, happy day!
The cloaked person hugs Vernon, who is standing there, frozen.
INT. 4 PRIVET DRIVE - EVENING - 1/11/1981
Vernon is watching the news on the TELEVISION.
TELEVISION VOICE TED
And finally, bird-watchers everywhere have reported that the nation's owls have been behaving very unusually today. Although owls normally hunt at night and are hardly seen in daylight, there have been hundreds of sightings of these birds since sunrise. Experts are unable to explain why the owls have suddenly changed their sleeping pattern. Most mysterious. And now, over to Jim McGuffin with the weather. Going to be any more showers of owls to night Jim?
TELEVISION VOICE JIM MCGUFFIN
Well Ted, I don't know about that, but it's not only the owls that have been acting oddly today. Viewers as far apart as Kent, Yorkshire and Dundee have been phoning in to tell me that instead of the rain I promised yesterday, they've had a downpour of shooting stars! Perhaps people have been celebrating Bonfire Night early - it's not until next week, folks! But I can promise a wet night tonight.
Throughout this Vernon gets more and more terrified. Suddenly Petunia walks in with TWO TEAS and sits down on the COUCH beside him. Still looking at the TV, Vernon says...
VERNON DURSLEY
Er - Petunia, dear - you haven't heard from your sister lately, have you?
Petunia's head suddenly snaps towards Vernon's.
PETUNIA DURSLEY
No. Why?
VERNON DURSLEY
Funny stuff on the news. Owls, shooting stars, and there were a lot of funny-looking people in town today...
PETUNIA DURSLEY
So?
VERNON DURSLEY
Well, I thought, maybe, it was something to do with, you know, her lot.
Pause. Petunia sips some tea.
VERNON DURSLEY (CONT’D)
Their son, he'd be about Dudley's age now, wouldn't he?
PETUNIA DURSLEY
I suppose so.
VERNON DURSLEY
What's his name again? Howard isn't it?
PETUNIA DURSLEY
Harry. Nasty, common name, if you ask me.
Camera starts to zoom in on Vernon, which is horribly unsettled.
VERNON DURSLEY
Oh, yes. Yes I quite agree.
INT. 4 PRIVET DRIVE - LATE EVENING - 1/11/1981
Vernon is lying in his BED, deep in thought. Finally shrugs of his thoughts and goes to sleep. The camera PASSES THROUGH THE WINDOW to...
EXT. 4 PRIVET DRIVE - LATE EVENING - 1-2/11/1981
...the cat which is still sitting on the brick fence. It is stiff and looking in one direction. The camera then shows that the road is deserted. It finally rests on one of the STREET LAMPS. POP. Pause. A different POP. The lamp extinguishes. The camera CUTS BACK to the cat, which is now moving its head. The lamp nearest the brick wall extinguishes with another POP. The camera then CUTS to an elderly man standing in the once deserted street, he is putting away an OBJECT WHICH LOOKS LIKE A CIGARETTE LIGHTER (DELUMINATOR). The man, Albus Dumbledore, speaks to the cat.
ALBUS DUMBLEDORE
Fancy seeing you here, Professor McGonagall.
The camera turns to see that the cat is transforming into a woman in her late 50s, wearing a cloak.
MINERVA MCGONAGALL
How did you know it was me?
ALBUS DUMBLEDORE
My dear Professor, I've never seen a cat sit so stiffly.
MINERVA MCGONAGALL
You'd be stiff if you'd been sitting on a brick wall all day.
ALBUS DUMBLEDORE
All day? When you could have been celebrating? I must have passed a dozen feasts and parties on my way here.
MINERVA MCGONAGALL
(Angrily)
Oh yes, everyone's celebrating, all right. You'd think they'd be a bit careful, but no - even the Muggles have noticed something's going on. It was on their news. I heard it. Flocks of owls, shooting stars. Well, they're not completely stupid. They were bound to notice something. Shooting stars down in Kent, I'll bet that was Dedalus Diggle. He never had much sense.
ALBUS DUMBLEDORE
You can't blame them. We've had precious little to celebrate for eleven years.
MINERVA MCGONAGALL
I know that, but it's no reason to lose our heads. People are being downright careless, out on the streets in broad daylight, not even dressed in Muggle clothes, swapping rumours.
McGonagall pauses and looks at Dumbledore as if she wants him to say something.
MINERVA MCGONAGALL (CONT’D)
A fine thing it would be if, on the very day You-Know-Who seems to have disappeared at last, the Muggles found out about us all. I suppose he really has gone, Dumbledore?
ALBUS DUMBLEDORE
It certainly seems so. We have much to be thankful for. Would you care for a sherbet lemon?
McGonagall looks at the sherbet lemons, but says...
MINERVA MCGONAGALL
No thank you.
(Pause)
As I say, even if You-Know-Who has gone...
ALBUS DUMBLEDORE
My dear Professor, surely a sensible person like yourself can call him by his real name? All this "You-Know-Who" nonsense - for eleven years I have been trying to persuade people to call him by his proper name, Voldemort.
McGonagall flinches at this name. Dumbledore is busy getting his sherbet lemons.
ALBUS DUMBLEDORE (CONT’D)
It all gets confusing if we keep saying "You-Know-Who" I have never seen any reason to be frightened of saying Voldemort's name.
MINERVA MCGONAGALL
I know you haven't. But you're different. Everyone knows you're the only one You-Know...
Dumbledore looks at McGonagall.
MINERVA MCGONAGALL (CONT’D)
...oh alright,
(she lowers her voice)
Voldemort
(She speaks at normal volume)
was frightened of.
ALBUS DUMBLEDORE
You flatter me. Voldemort had powers I will never have.
MINERVA MCGONAGALL
Only because you're too, well, noble to use them.
ALBUS DUMBLEDORE
It's lucky it's dark. I haven't blushed this much since Madam Pomfrey told me she like my new earmuffs.
Pause.
MINERVA MCGONAGALL
The owls are nothing to the rumours that have been flying around. You know what everyone is saying? About why he's disappeared?
Pause. Dumbledore says nothing.
MINERVA MCGONAGALL (CONT’D)
What they're saying is that night
(Pause)
Voldemort turned up in Godric's Hollow. He went to find the Potters. The rumour is that Lily and James Potter are, are, that they're dead.
Dumbledore bows his head, McGonagall gasps.
MINERVA MCGONAGALL (CONT’D)
Lily and James, I can't believe it, I didn't want to believe it, Oh Albus.
Dumbledore pats McGonagall on the shoulder.
ALBUS DUMBLEDORE
I know, I know.
MINERVA MCGONAGALL
That's not all. They're saying he tried to kill the Potter's son, Harry. But, he couldn't. He couldn't kill that little boy. No one knows why, or how, but they're saying that when he couldn't kill Harry Potter, Voldemort's power somehow broke, and that's why he's gone.
Dumbledore nods.
MINERVA MCGONAGALL (CONT’D)
It's, it's true? After all he's done, all the people he's killed, he couldn't kill a little boy? It's just astounding, of all the things to stop him, but how in the name of heaven did Harry survive?
ALBUS DUMBLEDORE
We can only guess, we may never know.
Suddenly, Dumbledore takes out a WATCH WITH TWELVE HANDS AND MOVING PLANETS AROUND THE EDGES. The camera gets a CLOSE UP SHOT of this. Dumbledore pockets it.
ALBUS DUMBLEDORE (CONT’D)
Hagrid's late. I suppose it was he who told you I'd be here, by the way?
MINERVA MCGONAGALL
Yes. And I don't suppose you're going to tell me why you're here of all places?
ALBUS DUMBLEDORE
I've come to bring Harry to his aunt and uncle. They're the only family he has left now.
McGonagall is suddenly shocked.
MINERVA MCGONAGALL
You don't mean... You can't mean the people who live here? Dumbledore, you can't. I've been watching them all day. You couldn't find two people who are less like us. And they've got this son. I saw him kicking his mother all the way up the street. Harry Potter come and live here!
ALBUS DUMBLEDORE
It's the best place for him. His aunt and uncle will be able to explain everything to him when he's older. I've written them a letter.
MINERVA MCGONAGALL
A letter? Really Dumbledore, you think you can explain all this in a letter? These people will never understand him! He'll be famous, a legend, I wouldn't be surprised if today was known as Harry Potter Day in future. There will be books written about Harry. Every child in our world will know his name!
ALBUS DUMBLEDORE
Exactly. It would be enough to turn any boy's head. Famous before he can walk and talk! Famous for something he won't even remember! Can't you see how much better off he'll be, growing up away from all that until he is ready to take it?
McGonagall opens her mouth, and then shuts it again.
MINERVA MCGONAGALL
Yes. Yes, you're right of course. But how is the boy getting here, Dumbledore?
ALBUS DUMBLEDORE
Hagrid's bring him.
MINERVA MCGONAGALL
You think it
(Pause)
wise to trust Hagrid with something as important as this?
ALBUS DUMBLEDORE
I would trust Hagrid with my life.
MINERVA MCGONAGALL
I'm not saying his heart isn't in the right place but you can't pretend he's not careless. He does tend to...
Suddenly, a RUMBLE is heard.
MINERVA MCGONAGALL (CONT’D)
What was that?
McGonagall and Dumbledore get of the brick wall and look down the deserted street. The rumble is getting LOUDER. When McGonagall finishes her search, she looks to Dumbledore, who is looking at the sky. A GIANT MOTORBIKE is landing. On the motorbike is RUBEUS HAGRID, an extremely large man in his early 50s. He gets off, carrying a bundle of blankets.
ALBUS DUMBLEDORE
Hagrid. At last. And where did you get that motorbike?
RUBEUS HAGRID
Borrowed it, Professor Dumbledore, sir. Young Sirius Black lent it me. I got him sir.
Hagrid looks down at the blankets. A 1-year-old HARRY POTTER is sleeping inside them. Dumbledore addresses Hagrid.
ALBUS DUMBLEDORE
No problems, were there?
RUBEUS HAGRID
No, sir - house was almost destroyed, but I got him out all right before the Muggles started swarmin' around. He fell asleep as we was flyin' over Bristol.
Dumbledore and McGonagall observe the baby. It has BLACK HAIR and GREEN EYES. On its forehead is a CUT, SHAPED LIKE LIGHTNING.
MINERVA MCGONAGALL
Is that where...?
ALBUS DUMBLEDORE
Yes. He'll have that scar forever.
MINERVA MCGONAGALL
Couldn't you do something about it, Dumbledore?
ALBUS DUMBLEDORE
Even if I could, I wouldn't. Scars can come in handy. I have one myself above my left knee that is a perfect map of the London Underground. Well - give him here, Hagrid - we'd better get this over with.
Harry is passed from Hagrid to Dumbledore. The three of them turn to face number 4, sadness over all their faces.
RUBEUS HAGRID
Could I - could I say good-bye to him, sir?
Hagrid bends down and gives baby Harry a kiss, then lets out a saddened howl.
MINERVA MCGONAGALL
Shhh! You'll wake the Muggles!
RUBEUS HAGRID
S-s-sorry.
Hagrid takes out a LARGE SPOTTED HANKERCHIEF and wipes away his tears.
RUBEUS HAGRID (CONT’D)
But I c-c-can't stand it - Lily an' James dead - an' poor little Harry off ter live with Muggles...
MINERVA MCGONAGALL
Yes, yes, it's all very sad, but get a grip on yourself, Hagrid, or we'll be found.
McGonagall pats Hagrid on the arm. Dumbledore makes his way to the FRONT DOOR of number 4 and lays Harry on the DOORMAT. Dumbledore then takes out a LETTER and tucks it in Harry's blankets. Dumbledore walks back and the three of them stand silently for a while, staring at baby Harry.
ALBUS DUMBLEDORE
Well, that's that. We've no business staying here. We may as well go and join the celebrations.
RUBEUS HAGRID
Yeah, I best get this bike away. G'night, Professor McGonagall - Professor Dumbledore, sir.
Still moping up his tears, Hagrid gets back on the bike and departs.
ALBUS DUMBLEDORE
I shall see you soon, I expect, Professor McGonagall.
McGonagall blows her nose in a way of reply. Dumbledore walks back out to road. He pulls out the Deluminator and clicks it once, all the street lights come back to life. He looks back at NUMBER FOUR,PRIVET DRIVE where a tabby cat can now be seen, slowly departing.
ALBUS DUMBLEDORE (CONT’D)
Good luck, Harry.
Baby Harry turns in his sleep, clutching Dumbledore's letter.
END OF TEASER
ACT ONE
DARKNESS
Suddenly a shrill voice is heard.
PETUNIA DURSLEY (O.S.)
Up! Get up! Now!
INT. THE CUPBOARD UNDER THE STAIRS - 4 PRIVET DRIVE - MORNING - 23/6/1991
A 10-YEAR-OLD HARRY POTTER wakes.
PETUNIA DURSLEY (O.S.)
Up!
It is heard that Petunia leaves and muddles around in the kitchen. Harry turns on his side. Through Harry's POV muffled visions of a flying motorbike can be seen in front of the wall. Suddenly, Petunia voice can be heard again.
PETUNIA DURSLEY (O.S.) (CONT’D)
Are you up yet?
HARRY POTTER
Nearly.
PETUNIA DURSLEY (O.S.)
Well, get a move on, I want you to look after the bacon. And don't you dare let it burn, I want everything perfect on Duddy's birthday.
Harry groans.
PETUNIA DURSLEY (O.S.) (CONT’D)
What did you say?
HARRY POTTER
Nothing, nothing...
INT. THE ENTRANCE - 4 PRIVET DRIVE - MORNING - 23/6/1991
Harry walks out of his cupboard, brushing a spider of his shoulder. He makes his way to the kitchen.
INT. THE KITCHEN - 4 PRIVET DRIVE - MORNING - 23/6/1991
The KITCHEN TABLE is covered with THIRTY-SEVEN PRESENTS. Uncle Vernon (now in his 30s) is sitting at the table, reading the newspaper.
VERNON DURSLEY
Comb your hair!
Harry ignores him and walks over to the FRYING PAN lying on the STOVETOP.
CUT TO:
INT. THE KITCHEN - 4 PRIVET DRIVE - A LITTLE LATER
Harry is now serving the BACON to Vernon. Petunia (in her too) and DUDLEY DURSLEY, an obese, blond, 11-year-old, enter. Dudley starts to count the presents, but is displeased.
DUDLEY DURSLEY
Thirty-six. That's two less than last year.
PETUNIA DURSLEY
Darling, you haven't counted Auntie Marge's present.
She points to the smallest present.
PETUNIA DURSLEY (CONT’D)
See, it's here under this big one from Mummy and Daddy.
DUDLEY DURSLEY
All right, thirty-seven then.
Dudley gets angry. His hands are both on the table. Harry takes his plate to the kitchen and continues to eat there.
PETUNIA DURSLEY
And - And we'll buy you another two presents while we're out today. How's that, popkin? Two more presents. Is that all right?
Dudley looks like he is concentrating really hard.
DUDLEY DURSLEY
So I'll have thirty ... thirty...
PETUNIA DURSLEY
Thirty-nine, sweetums
DUDLEY DURSLEY
Oh. All right then.
And he begins to unwrap his presents. Vernon chuckles.
VERNON DURSLEY
Little tyke wants his money's worth, just like his father. 'Atta boy, Dudley!
He ruffles Dudley's hair, but Dudley isn't paying attention. He has just unwrapped a REMOTE CONTROL AEROPLANE and has dived for another present. The TELEPHONE suddenly RINGS. Petunia goes to answer it. None of the conversation is heard. Harry just continues eating Dudley rips the wrapping of a cine-camera and a computer game. Petunia came back, both angry and worried.
PETUNIA DURSLEY
Bad news, Vernon. Mrs Figg's broken her leg. She can't take him.
Petunia jerks her head towards the kitchen, where Harry is still looking after the bacon. Dudley finally looks up, his mouth open in horror; ripping the wrapping he had just been holding as he does so, showing a gold wrist-watch.
PETUNIA DURSLEY (CONT’D)
Now what?
VERNON DURSLEY
We could phone Marge.
PETUNIA DURSLEY
Don't be silly, Vernon, she hates the boy.
VERNON DURSLEY
What about what's-her-name, your friend - Yvonne?
PETUNIA DURSLEY
On holiday in Majorca.
HARRY POTTER
You could just leave me here.
Petunia suddenly turns on Harry.
PETUNIA DURSLEY
And come back and find the house in ruins?
HARRY POTTER
I won't blow up the house.
PETUNIA DURSLEY
I suppose we could take him to the zoo ... and leave him in the car...
VERNON DURSLEY
That car's new, he's not sitting in it alone...
Suddenly a loud wailing noise is heard. Dudley has begun to fake cry.
PETUNIA DURSLEY
Dinky Duddydums, don't cry, Mummy won't let him spoil your special day!
And she hugs her son.
DUDLEY DURSLEY
I ... don't ... want ... him ... t-t-to come! He always sp-spoils everything!
Dudley gives Harry a nasty grin through his mother's arms. Suddenly the doorbell rings. Petunia lets go of Dudley and he stop to cry at once.
PETUNIA DURSLEY
Oh, good Lord, they're here!
She rushes to the front door, and comes back with PIERS POLKISS.
PETUNIA DURSLEY (CONT’D)
Shall we get going then?
Petunia, Dudley and Piers all motion to go. Vernon stays where Harry is, confused.
VERNON DURSLEY
Well, you've nothing to do but come. You've managed to get your way. But I'm warning you, I'm warning you now, boy - any funny business, anything at all - and you'll be in that cupboard from now until Christmas.
HARRY POTTER
I'm not going to do anything, honestly...
But Harry can't seem to be able to mean the last word. As the sentence completes, the camera zooms in on Harry and a series of flashbacks begin.
INT. A SCHOOL CLASSROOM - MIDDAY
The TEACHER'S WIG is suddenly TURNED BLUE.
INT. THE KITCHEN - 4 PRIVET DRIVE
Petunia tries to force a JUMPER over Harry's head. It shrinks and shrinks until it is so small it would fit a glove puppet.
EXT. SCHOOL - LUNCHTIME
Dudley, Piers and some other of HIS GANG are chasing Harry. Harry tries to jump behind a BIN, but finds himself on the ROOF.
INT. THE KITCHEN - 4 PRIVET DRIVE - MORNING - 23/6/1991
Harry is rather unsettled.
INT. / EXT. THE DURSLEY'S CAR - SURREY? - MID-MORNING
BRRRMMM. A motorbike overtakes the DURSLEY'S CAR.
VERNON DURSLEY
...roaring along like maniacs, the young hoodlums.
HARRY POTTER
I had a dream about a motorbike. It was flying.
Vernon nearly crashes into the car in front. He turns around in his seat to look at Harry.
VERNON DURSLEY
MOTORBIKES DON'T FLY!
Dudley and Piers s******.
HARRY POTTER
I know they don't. It was only a dream.
EXT. CARPARK/ENTRANCE/ICE-CREAM VAN - THE ZOO - SURREY? - MID-MORNING - 23/6/1991
The Dursley's car park at the zoo, which is very busy. The group walk up to the entrance, but Petunia is dragged by her son to an ICE-CREAM VAN, which is near by.
VERNON DURSLEY
Er - two large, chocolate sundaes.
Vernon points to Dudley and Piers as he says this.
ICE-CREAM LADY
And what do you want?
The ice-cream lady addresses Harry.
HARRY POTTER
Er...
VERNON DURSLEY
He'll have...
Vernon looks at the MENU, the most expensive being a large chocolate sundae, the cheapest being a lemon ice-lolly, but Vernon is only interested in the latter.
VERNON DURSLEY (CONT’D)
...a lemon ice-lolly.
INT. THE ZOO - SURREY? - MID-MORNING - 23/6/1991
Harry observes a GORRILA while he licks his LEMON ICE-LOLLY. It is scratching its head. Harry turns to see Dudley also starching his head, looking remarkably like the gorilla, except with an addition of a CHOCOLATE SUNDAE.
INT. RESTAURANT - THE ZOO - SURREY? - LUNCHTIME - 23/6/1991
The Durley's, Harry and Piers have just been served. Dudley's meal looks massive compared to Harry's, yet...
DUDLEY DURSLEY
It's ... too ... SMALL!!!
Vernon calls over a waiter, has a quick word, then hands over some money. Seconds later, another waiter comes out with an either larger meal. This sobers Dudley.
VERNON DURSLEY
Harry, you can have this.
And he hands Dudley's refused meal to Harry, who seems to be the happiest he's ever been.
INT. REPTILE HOUSE - THE ZOO - SURREY? - AFTERNOON
Dudley runs towards the GLASS CAGE of the LARGEST SNAKE, a BOA CONSTRICTOR. It is fast asleep. Dudley presses his nose against the glass, then turns to his father.
DUDLEY DURSLEY
Make it move.
Vernon taps on the glass, but the snake doesn't move.
DUDLEY DURSLEY (CONT’D)
Do it again.
Vernon taps the glass the glass again, but still nothing happens.
DUDLEY DURSLEY (CONT’D)
This is boring.
And he moves away, Harry, however, stays looking in on the snake relating to it. Then the snake opens its eyes and slowly raises its head so that it is level with Harry's. The snake winks. Harry looks around, then back at the snake. The snake jerks his head where the Dursleys are now and rolls his eyes.
HARRY POTTER
It must be really annoying.
The snake nods.
HARRY POTTER (CONT’D)
Where do you come from, anyway?
The snake points its tail at the SIGN next to the glass. It reads 'Boa Constrictor, Brazil.'
HARRY POTTER (CONT’D)
Was it nice there?
The snake points again to the sign. Beneath it is a SMALLER SIGN. It reads 'This specimen was bred in the zoo.'
HARRY POTTER (CONT’D)
Oh, I see - so you've never been to Brazil?
As the snake shakes its head, a loud shout can be heard from behind...
PIERS POLKISS
DUDLEY! MR DURSLEY! COME AND LOOK AT THIS SNAKE! YOU WON'T BELIEVE WHAT IT'S DOING!
Dudley rushes up to the snake's cage.
DUDLEY DURSLEY
Out of the way, you.
And he punches Harry in the ribs. Harry falls onto the CONCRETE FLOOR. Piers and Dudley lean right up to the glass then suddenly they become unsteady as the GLASS DISAPPEARS. The snake uncoils itself and slithers out of its cage, onto the floor. People scream and run for the exits. The snake goes past Harry (on the floor) and a voice can be heard...
SNAKE
Brazil, here I come ... Thanksss, amigo.
And it slithers out the door; Harry follows it with his eyes, a little confused.
INT. OFFICE - THE ZOO - SURREY? - SOON AFTER - 23/6/1991
The group are sitting in the zoo's office. The ZOO'S DIRECTOR is handing Petunia tea. Her hand is trembling. A voice comes from the corner.
REPTILE HOUSE KEEPER
But the glass. Where did the glass go?
ZOO DIRECTOR
Will you excuse me?
The two Zoo worker's leave the office, leaving the group to talk on their own accord. Dudley and Piers seem to have got their confidence back.
DUDLEY DURSLEY
Did you see how it nearly bit off by leg? But I shook it off...
PIERS POLKISS
I swear it was trying to squeeze me to death.
Piers suddenly turns on Harry.
PIERS POLKISS (CONT’D)
Harry was talking to it, weren't you, Harry?
Harry is lost for words. Vernon looks at Harry with hatred over his face.
INT. ENTRANCE - 4 PRIVET DRIVE - LATE AFTERNOON - 23/6/1991
The Dursleys and Harry walk into their house, all a little shaken.
VERNON DURSLEY
Go - cupboard - stay - no meals. Harry goes into...
INT. THE CUPBOARD UNDER THE STAIRS - 4 PRIVET DRIVE - CONTINUING - 23/6/1991
...his cupboard, lies in bed, but doesn't go to sleep. Remembered voices echo in head.
YOUNG HARRY POTTER (V.O.)
How did I get my scar?
PETUNIA DURSLEY (V.O.)
In the car crash when your parents died. And don't ask questions!
The room is suddenly filled with green light, as though Harry is remembering it.
END OF ACT ONE
ACT TWO
EXT. BACK GARDEN - 4 PRIVET DRIVE - MORNING - 12/7/1991
Dudley crashes his REMOTE CONTROL AEROPLANE into the neighbour's window.
INT. 2 PRIVET DRIVE - CONTINUING - 12/7/1991
The neighbour looks up, thinking the plane was a bird, and continues to read his NEWSPAPER.
EXT. BACK GARDEN - 4 PRIVET DRIVE - CONTINUING - 12/7/1991
Dudley shows no emotion and turns back into the house.
EXT. 4 PRIVET DRIVE - EARLY AFTERNOON - 17/7/1991
Dudley is struggling to ride his RACING BIKE, looks down at the pedals which he can't manage to push enough, and... WHAM! ARABELLA FIGG, on crutches, is knocked over, though not hurt. BIRDS EYE VEIW of the scene.
INT. ENTRANCE - 4 PRIVET DRIVE - MORNING - 20/7/1991
Vernon is holding the door to the cupboard under the stairs open, letting, Harry walk out, but there is no happiness on his face. A group of boys are on the staircase watching the scene, they are Dudley, Piers, DENNIS, MALCOLM and GORDON.
HARRY POTTER
What day is it?
VERNON DURSLEY
July 20. But you'd be in here for another five months if I had my way.
HARRY POTTER
So school's over? And then I'll be going to...?
He waits for an answer.
VERNON DURSLEY
Well, Dudley's going to Smeltings, my old school, the finest institute.
Vernon suddenly turns sour.
VERNON DURSLEY (CONT’D)
You, on the other hand, are off to Stonewall High.
He speaks the last to words with disgust. Dudley's gang on the stairs laugh.
DUDLEY DURSLEY
They stuff people's heads down the toilet the first day at Stonewall. Want to come upstairs and practice?
Harry turns to him coolly.
HARRY POTTER
No, thanks. The poor toilet's never had anything as horrible as your head down it - it might be sick.
And Harry walks out the front door.
EXT. DOORSTEP - MRS FIGG'S HOUSE - MORNING - 24/7/1991
Petunia and Harry are on the doorstep of Mrs Figg's. She has opened the door to find them there. Vernon and Dudley can be seen in the car in the background.
PETUNIA DURSLEY
Do you mind?
ARABELLA FIGG
Not at all.
And without a single look at Harry, she leaves.
INT. MRS FIGG'S HOUSE - MORNING - 24/7/1991
Mrs. Figg ushers Harry in, sits him down on the couch, next to where a cat is sleeping, and changes the channel on the TV.
ARABELLA FIGG
There you go, Harry.
Harry looks at the remote on the table to the television, which now shows a cartoon.
CARTOON VOICE
Wow! I wish I could fly!
MEEEEEOWWW! Mrs Figg has come back, another cat by her heels, carrying a piece of cake.
ARABELLA FIGG
Cake?
Harry takes it, and, as he eats it, screws his face with disgust...
INT. LIVING ROOM - 4 PRIVET DRIVE - EVENING - 24/7/1991
...and as the camera zooms out, we find he is disgusted at the Dursley's as they are proud of their son in his NEW UNIFORM: A MAROON TAILCOAT, AN ORANGE KNICKERBOCKER AND A FLAT STRAW HAT. Dudley is also carrying a KNOBBLY STICK.
VERNON DURSLEY
Proudest moment of my life. Petunia bursts into tears of joy.
PETUNIA DURSLEY
Can't believe - it's my Ickle my Ickle Dudleykins! So handsome and grown-up.
It turns back to Dudley. It looks like the uniform is about to burst open with the amount of weight he has. Harry looks like he is about to laugh.
INT. KITCHEN - 4 PRIVET DRIVE - MORNING - 25/7/1991
As Harry opens the door to come in, he screws up his nose and walks over to the sink, where Petunia is DYING CLOTHES GREY.
HARRY POTTER
What's this?
Petunia turns on Harry, lips tightened, but answers.
PETUNIA DURSLEY
Your new school uniform.
Harry looks uncertainly in the bowl.
HARRY POTTER
Oh, I didn't realize it had to be so wet.
PETUNIA DURSLEY
Don't be stupid. I'm dyeing some of Dudley's old things grey for you. It'll look just like everyone else's when I've finished.
Harry looks at the clothes on the grey water. The camera ZOOMS IN to this.
INT. KITCHEN - 4 PRIVET DRIVE - MORNING - 26/7/1991
Harry is now eating A SINGLE PIECE OF TOAST at the KITCHEN TABLE. Dudley and Uncle Vernon come in with wrinkled noses. Vernon is carrying the newspaper. He unfolds it and begins to read it when he is seated. Dudley is carrying his SMELTINGS STICK. He places this next to the large serving of BACON AND EGGS he was just given by Petunia. She places Vernon's on the table, and as she is just about to return to the kitchen, the NOISE OF LETTERS DELIVERED is heard. Petunia stops dead for a slight moment, then continues back to the kitchen.
VERNON DURSLEY
Get the mail, Dudley.
DUDLEY DURSLEY
Make Harry get it.
Vernon takes down the newspaper and notices for the first time that Harry is in the room.
VERNON DURSLEY
Get the mail, Harry.
HARRY POTTER
Make Dudley get it.
DUDLEY DURSLEY
Poke him with your Smelting stick, Dudley.
And Dudley, happy for an excuse to use it, reaches for his Smeltings stick, while shovelling food in with his other hand. He turns around and finds Harry has already gone past.
INT. ENTRANCE - 4 PRIVET DRIVE - CONTINUING - 26/7/1991
Harry walks to the pile of letters lying on the MAT glumly. He picks them up and they are shown to the audience: A POSTCARD SHOWING ISLE OF WIGHT AND A FAT WOMAN, AUNT MARGE, WHO LOOKS LIKE VERNON; A BILL; and A LETTER OF YELLOW PARCHMENT WITH THE WORDS: Mr H. Potter, The Cupboard under the Stairs, Privet Drive, Little Whinging, Surrey WRITTEN ON IN GREEN INK. Harry stares at the letter, it is unbelievable. He turns it over to see A COAT OF ARMS FORMED BY A LION, EAGLE, BADGER AND SNAKE AROUND AN 'H' ON A PURPLE WAX SEAL. Then...
VERNON DURSLEY (O.S.)
Hurry up, boy! What are you doing, checking for letter bombs?
Vernon chuckles at his own joke. Harry is out of his trance and motions towards the door.
INT. KITCHEN - 4 PRIVET DRIVE - CONTINUING - 26/7/1991
Harry walks back in, still staring at his letter. It is separate to the bill and postcard now and he hands this to Vernon, who is still behind the newspaper.
VERNON DURSLEY
Marge's ill.
(speaking to Petunia )
Ate a funny whelk... But he is cut off by Dudley.
DUDLEY DURSLEY
Dad! Dad, Harry's got something!
Harry is shown to be just about to be unfolding the LETTER inside, but it is forced away my Vernon.
HARRY POTTER
That's MINE!
He tries to snatch it back.
VERNON DURSLEY
Who'd be writing to you?
Petunia looks at Harry and the letter, looking as though she thinks she knows this answer, but at the same time doesn't want to know the answer. Vernon opens the letter and on first glance is frozen, and terrified.
HARRY POTTER
P-P-Petunia!
Dudley reaches this time. Harry just looks confused. Petunia, thinking she knows what it is, takes it from Vernon. She reads it for about 2 seconds and when she finishes, she looks as though she is about to faint, but chokes a few words.
PETUNIA DURSLEY
Vernon! Oh my goodness - Vernon!
They stare at each other. Dudley gives Vernon a hit on the head with his Smeltings stick for being ignored.
DUDLEY DURSLEY
I want to read that letter!
HARRY POTTER
I want to read it, as it's mine.
VERNON DURSLEY
Get out, both of you.
He stuffs the letter in his pocket. Neither move.
HARRY POTTER
I WANT MY LETTER!
DUDLEY DURSLEY
Let me see it!
VERNON DURSLEY
OUT!
Vernon chucks them out of the room.
INT. ENTRANCE - 4 PRIVET DRIVE - CONTINUING - 26/7/1991
Vernon slams the door in their faces. Harry and Dudley have a silent fight over the keyhole, Dudley ends up barging Harry so that he lands on the BOTTOM STEP, which SQUEAKS, but Dudley does not care, he is already listening through the keyhole, though looking bored.
INT. KITCHEN - 4 PRIVET DRIVE - MORNING - 26/7/1991
Petunia has heard the squeak through the door and seems to be more scared at this, possibly disgusted. He looks down at the envelope that she is now holding, and addresses Vernon.
PETUNIA DURSLEY
Vernon, look at the address - how could they possibly know where he sleeps? You don't think they're watching the house?
VERNON DURSLEY
Watching - spying - might be following us.
PETUNIA DURSLEY
But what should we do, Vernon? Should we write back? Tell them we don't want...
INT. ENTRANCE - 4 PRIVET DRIVE - MORNING - 26/7/1991
Harry is lying on his stomach listening through the crack under the kitchen door. The light shifts around in the crack, and a shot shows feet pacing.
INT. KITCHEN - 4 PRIVET DRIVE - MORNING - 26/7/1991
Vernon stops pacing.
VERNON DURSLEY
No. No, we'll ignore it. If they don't get an answer ... yes, that's best ... we won't do anything...
PETUNIA DURSLEY
But...
INT. ENTRANCE - 4 PRIVET DRIVE - MORNING - 26/7/1991
The camera zooms into a confused Harry.
VERNON DURSLEY (O.S.)
I'm not having one in the house, Petunia! Didn't we swear when we took him in we'd stamp out that dangerous nonsense?
INT. CUPBOARD UNDER THE STAIRS - 4 PRIVET DRIVE - EVENING
(24/7/1991)
Harry is still lying in the same position, though on the CRAMPED BED that is stuffed in the cupboard. The door opens, Harry turns around it is Vernon. He looks out of place in the DUSTY, SPIDER-FILLED cupboard.
HARRY POTTER
Where's my letter? Who's writing to me?
VERNON DURSLEY
No one. It was addressed to you by mistake. I have burned it.
HARRY POTTER
It was not a mistake; it had my cupboard on it.
VERNON DURSLEY
SILENCE!
A flew spiders fall off the ceiling.
VERNON DURSLEY (CONT’D)
Er - yes, Harry - about this cupboard. Your aunt and I have been thinking ... you're really getting a bit big for it ... we think it might be nice if you moved into Dudley's second bedroom.
HARRY POTTER
Why?
VERNON DURSLEY
Don't ask questions!
INT. HALL - 4 PRIVET DRIVE - LATE MORNING
(25/7/1991)
Vernon is nailing up the mailbox. Harry is walking down the stairs and stops. Vernon addresses Petunia who is offering fruitcake. Neither notices Harry.
VERNON DURSLEY
See, if they can't deliver them they'll just give up.
PETUNIA DURSLEY
I'm not sure that'll work, Vernon.
VERNON DURSLEY
Oh, these people's minds work in strange ways, Petunia, they're not like you and me.
And he hammers another nail.
INT. KITCHEN - 4 PRIVET DRIVE - (NEXT) MORNING
(26/7/1991)
Petunia opens a new packet of eggs. She cracks one. No yolk. She cracks another. No yolk again. This time she spots a piece of parchment. It's a letter. She pulls it out, unfolds it, then turns to Vernon, who is reading the newspaper, Dudley and Harry, showing it, frowning. Dudley turns to Harry.
DUDLEY DURSLEY
Who on earth wants to talk to you this badly?
INT. KITCHEN - 4 PRIVET DRIVE - (NEXT) MORNING
(27/7/1991)
Harry looks saddened. Vernon is gleefully spreading marmalade on his toast, sometimes spreading on the newspaper in his excitement.
VERNON DURSLEY
No post on Sundays. No damn letters today...
He raises his knife and smiles. Then frowns. A letter has just hit him in the back of his head. He turns to the fireplace which is now rumbling. Everyone's attention is on it. And suddenly 50 letters come bursting through the grate, Harry jumps up to try and catch one but...
VERNON DURSLEY (CONT’D)
Out! OUT!
Vernon grabs Harry around the middle as he tries to grab a letter and shoves him into the hall. Petunia and Dudley have already run for it.
INT. HALL - 4 PRIVET DRIVE - CONTINUOUS ACTION - MORNING
(29/7/1991)
Vernon slams the door so that none of the letters, which are still flying around the kitchen, don't reach the other room. He speaks threatening, as though he is losing it.
VERNON DURSLEY
That does it. We're going away. Just pack some clothes.
EXT. RAILVIEW HOTEL, COKEWORTH - EVENING
(29/7/1991)
A gloomy-looking hotel. Night. A train goes by on the nearby railway.
FADES TO:
EXT. RAILVIEW HOTEL, COKEWORTH - MORNING
(30/7/1991)
The same hotel. Morning.
INT. DINING ROOM - RAILVIEW HOTEL, COKEWORTH - MORNING
(30/7/1991)
The Dursleys and Harry are eating breakfast. The HOTEL OWNER comes over to them (Carrying a LETTER).
HOTEL OWNER
'Scuse me, but is one of you Mr H. Potter?
Both Harry and Vernon look up.
HOTEL OWNER (CONT’D)
Only I got about a hundred of these at the front desk.
She holds up the letter. It reads "Mr H. Potter, Room 17, Railview Hotel, Cokeworth". Harry tries to grab it, but his reach is knocked away by Vernon...
VERNON DURSLEY
I'll take them.
...as he stands up to get the rest. The Hotel Owner stares.
INT. DURSLEY'S CAR - COAST - LATE AFTERNOON
(30/7/1991)
PETUNIA DURSLEY
Wouldn't it be better just to go home?
Vernon ignores her, gets out of the car and locks Petunia, Dudley and Harry in it. THUNDER.
DUDLEY DURSLEY
Daddy's gone mad, hasn't he?
RAINDROPS fall onto the car. The doors are unlocked and opened as Vernon arrives back.
VERNON DURSLEY
Found the perfect place.
EXT. COAST - LATE AFTERNOON
(30/7/1991)
Vernon is now holding a LONG THIN PACKAGE. He points to a rock out at sea, hardly visible. Even less visible is a HUT on top of it.
VERNON DURSLEY
Storm forecast for tonight! And I've been able to lend a boat.
The camera falls down to show a small wooden rowboat.
VERNON DURSLEY (CONT’D)
(to Harry)
Could do with some of those letters now, eh?
INT. HUT-ON-THE-ROCK - MIDNIGHT
(30/7/1991)
Harry tries to keep warm, lying on the stone floor, under the thin blanket that is over him. Snores fill the room. Dudley is sleeping on the couch. THUNDER. Harry turns over to were he has written "Happy Birthday" in the dust. He put a circle around it, making a cake. He looks at Dudley's watch, which danging over the edge of the couch, on his wrist. 11:58pm. He turns back to his cake, he marks in the candles, and remembers...
FADES TO:
INT. KITCHEN - 4 PRIVET DRIVE - MORNING
(FLASHBACK) (31/7/1990)
Vernon hands Harry a coat-hanger and a pair of mustard socks.
VERNON DURSLEY
There you go.
FADES TO:
INT. HUT-ON-THE-ROCK - MIDNIGHT
(30-31/7/1991)
Ten candles. Eleven. Harry looks at the cake quite sombre. He turns to Dudley's watch. 11:59:56. :57. :58. :59. BOOM. The door shudders.
CUT TO BLACK
END OF ACT TWO
ACT THREE
INT. HUT-ON-THE-ROCK - MIDNIGHT
(30-31/7/1991)
BOOM. And again. Harry stands up. Dudley has woken up, looking around, scared.
DUDLEY DURSLEY
Where's the cannon?
Vernon comes into the room, holding a rifle, Petunia bringing up his rear.
VERNON DURSLEY
Who's there? I warn you, I'm armed!
SMASH. The door falls down and RUBEUS HAGRID walks in. He says cheerfully...
RUBEUS HAGRID
Couldn't make us a cup o' tea, could yeh? It's not been an easy journey...
He picks up the door and puts it back in its place. Petunia and Vernon simply look at each other. Hagrid moves toward the couch where Dudley is paralyzed with shock.
RUBEUS HAGRID (CONT’D)
Budge up, yeh great lump.
Dudley quickly gets off the couch and cowers behind his parents. Hagrid looks at Harry.
RUBEUS HAGRID (CONT’D)
And here's Harry! Las' time I saw you, you was only a baby. Yeh look a lot like yer dad, but yeh've got yer mum's eyes.
Vernon gets his confidence back, gripping the rifle tight again.
VERNON DURSLEY
I demand that you leave at once, sir! You are breaking and entering!
RUBEUS HAGRID
Ah, shut up, Dursley, yeh great prune.
He turns and takes the rifle from Vernon. He then easily bends it into a knot and throws it into a corner. Vernon makes a noise like a mouse being trodden on.
RUBEUS HAGRID (CONT’D)
Anyway. Harry, a very happy birthday to yeh. Got summat fer yeh here. I mighta sat on it at some point, but it'll taste all right.
Hagrid pulls a squashed box and hands it to Harry, who opens in to find a cake with "Happy Birthday Harry" written on it. Harry looks up at Hagrid, confused.
HARRY POTTER
Who are you?
RUBEUS HAGRID
(Chuckling)
True, I haven't introduced meself. Rubeus Hagrid, Keeper of Keys and Grounds at Hogwarts.
Hagrid holds out his hand then shakes Harry's arm.
RUBEUS HAGRID (CONT’D)
What about that tea then, eh? I'd not say no ter summat stronger if yeh've got it, mind.
His eyes find the empty fireplace where chip packets lay shrivelled. He snorts, then bends over it and when he stands up again, the fireplace is ablaze. Hagrid takes a kettle, sausages, a poker, a teapot, and some mugs and begins to make tea and cook sausages.
VERNON DURSLEY
Don't touch anything he gives you, Dudley.
RUBEUS HAGRID
Yer great puddin' of a son don' need fattenin' anymore, Dursley, don' worry.
Hagrid passes a cooked sausage to Harry, who eats it hungrily, yet doesn't look away from Hagrid. When he is finished, he says.
HARRY POTTER
I'm sorry, but I still don't really know who you are.
RUBEUS HAGRID
Call me Hagrid, everyone does. An' like I told yeh, I'm Keeper of Keys at Hogwarts - yeh'll know all about Hogwarts, o' course.
HARRY POTTER
Er - no.
Hagrid looks shocked
HARRY POTTER (CONT’D)
Sorry.
RUBEUS HAGRID
Sorry?
(He looks at the Dursleys)
It's them as should be sorry! I knew yeh weren't gettin' yer letters but I never thought yeh wouldn't even know abou' Hogwarts, fer cryin' out loud! Did yeh never wonder where yet parents learned it all?
HARRY POTTER
All what?
RUBEUS HAGRID
All what! Now wait jus' one second!
(He now stands up and the Dursleys cower)
Do you mean ter tell me,' he growled at the Dursleys, 'that this boy - this boy! - knows nothin' abou' - about ANYTHING?
HARRY POTTER
I know some things. I can, you know, do maths and stuff.
RUBEUS HAGRID
About our world, I mean. Your world. My world. Yer parents' world.
HARRY POTTER
What world?
RUBEUS HAGRID
Dursley!
Vernon cowers even more.
RUBEUS HAGRID (CONT’D)
But yeh must know about yet mum and dad. I mean, they're famous. You're famous.
HARRY POTTER
What? My - my mum and dad weren't famous, were they?
RUBEUS HAGRID
Yeh don' know ... yeh don' know ... yeh don' know what yeh are?
Vernon suddenly steps out.
VERNON DURSLEY
Stop! Stop right there, sit! I forbid you to tell the boy anything!
Hagrid turns on Vernon.
RUBEUS HAGRID
You never told him? Never told him what was in the letter Dumbledore left fer him? I was there! I saw Dumbledore leave it, Dursley! An' you've kept it from him all these years?
HARRY POTTER
Kept what from me?
VERNON DURSLEY
STOP! I FORBID YOU!
Petunia gives a gasp from the corner.
RUBEUS HAGRID
Ah, go boil yet heads, both of yeh. Harry - yer a wizard.
Complete silence.
HARRY POTTER
I'm a what?
RUBEUS HAGRID
A wizard, o' course, an' a thumpin' good'un, I'd say, once yeh've been trained up a bit. With a mum an' dad like yours, what else would yeh be? An' I reckon it's abou' time yeh read yer letter.
From his pocket Hagrid extracts another letter. He passes it to Harry. Harry opens it. It says: "HOGWARTS SCHOOL OF WITCHCRAFT AND WIZARDRY, Headmaster: Albus Dumbledore, (Order of Merlin, First Class, Grand Sorc., Chf. Warlock, Supreme Mugwump, International Confed. of Wizards), Dear Mr Potter, We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Please find enclosed a list of all necessary books and equipment. Term begins on September 1. We await your owl by no later than July 31. Yours sincerely, Minerva McGonagall, Deputy Headmistress." Harry reads:
HARRY POTTER (O.S.)
Dear Mr Potter, We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Please find enclosed a list of all necessary books and equipment. Term begins on September 1. We await your owl by no later than July 31.
Harry closes the letter, shocked. After a while he says...
HARRY POTTER (CONT’D)
What does it mean, they await my owl?
RUBEUS HAGRID
Gallopin' Gorgons, that reminds me.
From another pocket he pulls a real live owl, a quill and a piece of parchment. He scribbles a note, ties it to the owls leg, and throws the owl out the window. Harry stands there with his mouth open.
RUBEUS HAGRID (CONT’D)
Where was I?
Vernon moves forward again.
VERNON DURSLEY
He's not going.
RUBEUS HAGRID
I'd like ter see a great Muggle like you stop him.
HARRY POTTER
A what?
RUBEUS HAGRID
A Muggle, it's what we call non-magic folk like them. An' it's your bad luck you grew up in a family o' the biggest Muggles I ever laid eyes on.
VERNON DURSLEY
We swore when we took him in we'd put a stop to that rubbish, swore we'd stamp it out of him! Wizard indeed!
HARRY POTTER
You knew? You knew I'm a - a wizard?
PETUNIA DURSLEY
Knew! Knew! Of course we knew! How could you not be, my dratted sister being what she was? Oh, she got a letter just like that and disappeared off to that - that school - and came home every holiday with her pockets full of frog spawn, turning teacups into rats. I was the only one who saw her for what she was - a freak! But for my mother and father, oh no, it was Lily this and Lily that, they were proud of having a witch in the family! Then she met that Potter at school and they left and got married and had you, and of course I knew you'd be just the same, just as strange, just as - as - abnormal - and then, if you please, she went and got herself blown up and we got landed with you!
HARRY POTTER
Blown up? You told me they died in a car crash!
RUBEUS HAGRID
CAR CRASH! How could a car crash kill Lily an' James Potter? It's an outrage! A scandal! Harry Potter not knowin' his own story when every kid in our world knows his name!
HARRY POTTER
But why? What happened?
RUBEUS HAGRID
I never expected this. I had no idea, when Dumbledore told me there might be trouble gettin' hold of yeh, how much yeh didn't know. Ah, Harry, I don' know if I'm the right person ter tell yeh - but someone's gotta - yeh can't go off ter Hogwarts not knowin'.
(He looks angrily at the Dursleys)
Well, it's best yeh know as much as I can tell yeh - mind, I can't tell yeh everythin', it's a great myst'ry, parts of it. It begins, I suppose, with - with a person called - but it's incredible yeh don't know his name, everyone in our world knows -
HARRY POTTER
Who?
RUBEUS HAGRID
Well - I don' like sayin' the name if I can help it. No one does.
HARRY POTTER
Why not?
RUBEUS HAGRID
Gulpin' gargoyles, Harry, people are still scared. Blimey, this is difficult. See, there was this wizard who went ... bad. As bad as you could go. Worse. Worse than worse. His name was...
Hagrid gulps.
HARRY POTTER
Could you write it down?
RUBEUS HAGRID
Nah - can't spell it. All right - Voldemort. Don' make me say it again. Anyway, this - this wizard, about twenty years ago now, started lookin' fer followers. Got 'em, too - some were afraid, some just wanted a bit o' his power, 'cause he was gettin' himself power, all right. Dark days, Harry. Didn't know who ter trust, didn't dare get friendly with strange wizards or witches... Terrible things happened. He was takin' over. 'Course, some stood up to him - an' he killed 'em. Horribly. One o' the only safe places left was Hogwarts. Reckon Dumbledore's the only one You-Know-Who was afraid of. Didn't dare try takin' the school, not jus' then, anyway. Now, yer mum an' dad were as good a witch an' wizard as I ever knew. Head boy an' girl at Hogwarts in their day! Suppose the myst'ry is why You-Know-Who never tried to get 'em on his side before ... probably knew they were too close ter Dumbledore ter want anythin' ter do with the Dark Side. Maybe he thought he could persuade 'em... maybe he just wanted 'em outta the way. All anyone knows is, he turned up in the village where you was all living, on Halloween ten years ago. You was just a year old. He came ter yer house an' - an' -
Hagrid pulls out his handkerchief and blows his nose.
RUBEUS HAGRID (CONT’D)
Sorry. But it's that sad - knew yer mum an' dad, an' nicer people yeh couldn't find - anyway ... You-Know-Who killed 'em. An' then - an' this is the real myst'ry of the thing - he tried to kill you, too. Wanted ter make a clean job of it, I suppose, or maybe he just liked killin' by then. But he couldn't do it. Never wondered how you got that mark on yer forehead? That was no ordinary cut. That's what yeh get when a powerful, evil curse touches yeh - took care of yer mum an' dad an' yer house, even - but it didn't work on you, an' that's why yer famous, Harry. No one ever lived after he decided ter kill 'em, no one except you, an' he'd killed some o' the best witches an' wizards of the age - the McKinnons, the Bones, the Prewetts - an' you was only a baby, an' you lived.
Harry looks away from Hagrid and the screen fills with green light and a high, cold laugh is heard.
RUBEUS HAGRID (CONT’D)
Took yeh from the ruined house myself, on Dumbledore's orders. Brought yeh ter this lot...
VERNON DURSLEY
Load of tosh.
Vernon steps forward once again.
VERNON DURSLEY (CONT’D)
Now, you listen here, boy, I accept there's something strange about you, probably nothing a good beating wouldn't have cured - and as for all this about your parents, well, they were weirdos, no denying it, and the world's better off without them in my opinion - asked for all they got, getting mixed up with these wizarding types - just what I expected, always knew they'd come to a sticky end -
Suddenly Hagrid leaps from the couch and draws a pink umbrella in front of Vernon.
RUBEUS HAGRID
I'm warning you, Dursley - I'm warning you - one more word...
Vernon looks rather scared by the umbrella and draws back.
RUBEUS HAGRID (CONT’D)
That's better.
Hagrid sits back on the couch.
HARRY POTTER
But what happened to Vol - sorry - I mean, You-Know-Who?
RUBEUS HAGRID
God question, Harry. Disappeared. Vanished. Same night he tried ter kill you. Makes yeh even more famous. That's the biggest myst'ry, see ... he was gettin' more an' more powerful - why'd he go? Some say he died. Codswallop, in my opinion. Dunno if he had enough human left in him to die. Some say he's still out there, bidin' his time, like, but I don' believe it. People who was on his side came back ter ours. Some of 'em came outta kinda trances. Don' reckon they could've done if he was comin' back. Most of us reckon he's still out there somewhere but lost his powers. Too weak to carry on. 'Cause somethin' about you finished him, Harry. There was somethin' goin' on that night he hadn't counted on - I dunno what it was, no one does - but somethin' about you stumped him, all right.
Harry looks into Hagrid's warm eyes, which are respecting him. Harry's green eyes are confused.
HARRY POTTER
Hagrid, I think you must have made a mistake. I don't think I can be a wizard.
RUBEUS HAGRID
Not a wizard, eh? Never made things happen when you was scared or angry?
Harry looks into the fire remembers something.
SNAKE (V.O.)
Brazil here I come...thanksss, amigo
Harry looks back at Hagrid, to see him smiling back at him.
RUBEUS HAGRID
See? Harry Potter, not a wizard - you wait, you'll be right famous at Hogwarts.
VERNON DURSLEY
Haven't I told you he's not going? He's going to Stonewall High and he'll be grateful for it. I've read those letters and he needs all sorts of rubbish - spell books and wands and -
RUBEUS HAGRID
If he wants ter go, a great Muggle like you won't stop him. Stop Lily an' James Potter's son goin' ter Hogwarts! Yer mad. His name's been down ever since he was born. He's off ter the finest school of witchcraft and wizardry in the world. Seven years there and he won't know himself. He'll be with youngsters of his own sort, fer a change, an' he'll be under the greatest headmaster Hogwarts ever had, Albus Dumbled -
VERNON DURSLEY
I AM NOT PAYING FOR SOME CRACKPOT OLD FOOL TO TEACH HIM MAGIC TRICKS!
Hagrid takes out his umbrella again.
RUBEUS HAGRID
NEVER - INSULT - ALBUS - DUMBLEDORE - IN - FRONT - OF - ME!
He points the umbrella at Dudley. A flash of violet light. A squeal of pain. Dudley hops around, holding his buttocks. A pig's tail is seen between them. The Dursleys rush into the other room.
RUBEUS HAGRID (CONT’D)
Shouldn'ta lost me temper, but it didn't work anyway. Meant ter turn him into a pig, but I suppose he was so much like a pig anyway there wasn't much left ter do.
Hagrid looks at Harry.
RUBEUS HAGRID (CONT’D)
Be grateful if yeh didn't mention that ter anyone at Hogwarts. I'm - er - not supposed ter do magic, strictly speakin'. I was allowed ter do a bit ter follow yeh an' get yer letters to yeh an' stuff - one o' the reasons I was so keen ter take on the job.
HARRY POTTER
Why aren't you supposed to do magic?
RUBEUS HAGRID
Oh, well - I was at Hogwarts meself but I - er - got expelled, ter tell yeh the truth. In me third year. They snapped me wand in half an' everything. But Dumbledore let me stay on as gamekeeper. Great man, Dumbledore.
HARRY POTTER
Why were you expelled? Hagrid changes the subject.
RUBEUS HAGRID
It's gettin' late and we've got lots ter do tomorrow. Gotta get up
ter town, get all yer books an' that.
He takes off his coat and hands it to Harry.
RUBEUS HAGRID (CONT’D)
You can kip under that. Don' mind if it wriggles a bit, I think I still got a couple o' dormice in one o' the pockets.
END OF ACT THREE
ACT FOUR
INT. HUT-ON-THE-ROCK - MORNING
(1/8/1991])
HARRY'S HEAD
His eyes are tight shut.
HARRY POTTER (V.O.)
It was a dream. I dreamed a giant called Hagrid came to tell me I was going to a school for wizards. When I open my eyes I'll be at home in my cupboard.
Tap. Tap. Tap.
HARRY POTTER (V.O.) (CONT’D)
And there's Aunt Petunia knocking on the door.
Tap. Tap.
HARRY POTTER (CONT’D)
All right. I'm getting up.
WIDE SHOT
Hagrid's coat falls of Harry. An owl is tapping at the window, carrying a newspaper. Harry gets up and opens it and the owl drops the newspaper and attacks Hagrid's coat.
HARRY POTTER (CONT’D)
Hagrid! There's an owl!
RUBEUS HAGRID
(Grunting in his sleep)
Pay him.
HARRY POTTER
What?
RUBEUS HAGRID
He wants payin' fer deliverin' the paper. Look in the pockets.
Harry tries one of the many pockets in Hagrid's coat and the owl hops out of the way. He withdraws keys and slug pellets, then strange looking coins.
RUBEUS HAGRID (CONT’D)
Give him five Knuts.
HARRY POTTER
Knuts?
RUBEUS HAGRID
The little bronze ones.
Harry gives the owl the money and he flies off. Harry's mouth is open in astonishment. Hagrid is now up
RUBEUS HAGRID (CONT’D)
Best be off, Harry, lots ter do today, gotta get up ter London an' buy all yer stuff fer school.
Harry looks down at the coins still in his hands.
HARRY POTTER
Um, Hagrid? I haven't got any money - and you heard Uncle Vernon last night … he won't pay for me to go and learn magic.
RUBEUS HAGRID
Don't worry about that. D'yeh think yer parents didn't leave yeh anything?
HARRY POTTER
But if their house was destroyed -
RUBEUS HAGRID
They didn' keep their gold in the house, boy! Nah, first stop fer us is Gringotts. Wizards' bank.
HARRY POTTER
Wizards have banks?
RUBEUS HAGRID
Just the one. Gringotts. Run by goblins.
HARRY POTTER
Goblins?
RUBEUS HAGRID
Yeah - so yeh'd be mad ter try an' rob it, I'll tell yeh that. Never mess with goblins, Harry. Gringotts is the safest place in the world fer anything yeh want ter keep safe - 'cept maybe Hogwarts. As a matter o' fact, I gotta visit Gringotts anyway. Fer Dumbledore. Hogwarts business.' Hagrid drew himself up proudly. 'He usually gets me ter do important stuff fer him. Fetchin' you gettin' things from Gringotts - knows he can trust me, see. Got everythin'? Come on, then.
They make their way outside.
EXT. THE-HUT-ON-THE-ROCK - MORNING
(CONTINUOUS ACTION) (1/8/1991)
Only one boat is outside.
HARRY POTTER
How did you get here?
RUBEUS HAGRID
Flew.
HARRY POTTER
(Looking at Hagrid uncertainly)
Flew?
RUBEUS HAGRID
Yeah - but we'll go back in this. Not s'pposed ter use magic now I've got yeh.
They get into the boat.
INT/EXT. ROWBOAT - MORNING
(CONTINUOUS ACTION) (1/8/1991)
RUBEUS HAGRID
Seems a shame to row, though.
(He gives Harry a sideways look.)
If I was ter - er - speed things up a bit, would yeh mind not mentionin' it at Hogwarts?
HARRY POTTER
Of course not.
Hagrid taps the boat with his umbrella and it rows itself towards land.
HARRY POTTER (CONT’D)
Why would you be mad to try and rob Gringotts?
RUBEUS HAGRID
(He unfolds the newspaper while speaking)
Spells - enchantments.They say there's dragons guardin' the high security vaults. And then yeh gotta find yer way - Gringotts is hundreds of miles under London, see. Deep under the Underground. Yeh'd die of hunger tryin' ter get out, even if yeh did manage ter get yer hands on summat.
Turning a page, Hagrid says:
RUBEUS HAGRID (CONT’D)
Ministry o' Magic messin' things up as usual.
HARRY POTTER
There's a Ministry of Magic?
RUBEUS HAGRID
'Course. They wanted Dumbledore fer Minister, o' course, but he'd never leave Hogwarts, so old Cornelius Fudge got the job. Bungler if ever there was one. So he pelts Dumbledore with owls every morning, askin' fer advice.
HARRY POTTER
But what does a Ministry of Magic do?
RUBEUS HAGRID
Well, their main job is to keep it from the Muggles that there's still witches an' wizards up an' down the country.
HARRY POTTER
Why?
RUBEUS HAGRID
Why? Blimey, Harry, everyone'd be wantin' magic solutions to their problems. Nah, we're best left alone.
The boat bumps against the edge of the coast.
EXT. STREET - MORNING
(1/8/1991)
Hagrid and Harry walk along an ordinary Muggle street.
RUBEUS HAGRID
(Pointing to a parking meter)
See that, Harry? Things these Muggles dream up, eh?
HARRY POTTER
(Jogging to keep up)
Hagrid, did you say there are dragons at Gringotts?
RUBEUS HAGRID
Well they say so. Crikey, I'd like a dragon.
HARRY POTTER
You'd like one?
RUBEUS HAGRID
Wanted one ever since I was a kid - here we go.
They reach the train station.
INT. SUBWAY TRAIN - MORNING
(1/8/1991)
Harry and Hagrid are on the train. Hagrid knits what looks like a yellow circus tent.
RUBEUS HAGRID
Still got your letter, Harry?
Harry takes it out.
RUBEUS HAGRID (CONT’D)
Good. There's a list there of everything yeh need.
The letter is unfolded.
HARRY POTTER
HOGWARTS SCHOOL OF WITCHCRAFT AND WIZARDRY. Uniform. First-year students will require: Three sets of plain work robes (black), One plain pointed hat (black) for day wear, One pair of protective gloves (dragon hide or similar), One winter cloak (black, silver fastenings). Please note that all pupils' clothes should carry name tags. Set Books. All students should have a copy of each of the following: The Standard Book of Spells (Grade 1) by Miranda Goshawk. A History of Magic by Bathilda Bagshot. Magical Theory by Adalbert Waffling. A Beginners' Guide to Transfiguration by Emetic Switch. One Thousand Magical Herbs and Fungi by Phyllida Spore. Magical Drafts and Potions by Arsenius Jigger. Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them by Newt Scamander. The Dark Forces: A Guide to Self-Protection by Quentin Trimble. Other Equipment. 1 wand, 1 cauldron (pewter, standard size 2), 1 set glass or crystal phials, 1 telescope, 1 set brass scales. Students may also bring an owl OR a cat OR a toad. PARENTS ARE REMINDED THAT FIRST YEARS ARE NOT ALLOWED THEIR OWN BROOMSTICKS.
Throughout this Harry keeps on looking up at Hagrid, who beckons him on.
HARRY POTTER (CONT’D)
Can we find all this in London?
RUBEUS HAGRID
If yeh know where to go.
EXT. CHARING CROSS ROAD - LATE MORNING
(1/8/1991)
Harry and Hagrid walk down it, Harry uncertain, seeing the book shops, the music stores, the restaurants and the cinemas.
RUBEUS HAGRID
This is it, the Leaky Cauldron. It's a famous place.
It's a shabby, grubby-looking little pub. None of the people around them seem to notice it is even there.
INT. LEAKY CAULDRON - LATE MORNING
(CONTINUOUS ACTION) (1/8/1991)
Inside, a group of old woman sit gossiping over drinks in a corner (Doris Crockford among them), one of them smoking a pipe. A pale young man (Quirenius Quirrell) is being served and a little man with a top hat (Dedalus Diggle) is talking to the toothless and bald barman (Tom).
TOM - BARMAN
The usual, Hagrid?
RUBEUS HAGRID
Can't, Tom, I'm on Hogwarts business.
Hagrid puts his hand on Harry's shoulder.
TOM - BARMAN
Good Lord, is this - can this be -?
The bar go silent
TOM - BARMAN (CONT’D)
Bless my soul. Harry Potter … what an honour.
The lady smoking the pipe doesn't notice it has gone out. Tom comes out from behind the bar and shacks his hand.
TOM - BARMAN (CONT’D)
Welcome back, Mr Potter, welcome back.
Suddenly everyone is moving.
DORIS CROCKFORD
Doris Crockford, Mr Potter, can't believe I'm meeting you at last.
TLC PERSON 1
So proud, Mr Potter, I'm just so proud.
TLC PERSON 2
Always wanted to shake your hand - I'm all of a flutter.
DEDALUS DIGGLE
Delighted, Mr Potter, just can't tell you, Diggle's the name, Dedalus Diggle.
Diggle's hat falls off in his excitement.
HARRY POTTER
I've seen you before! You bowed to me once in a shop.
DEDALUS DIGGLE
'He remembers! Did you hear that? He remembers me!
A pale young man, head bald, makes his way nevoursly towards Harry.
RUBEUS HAGRID
Professor Quirrell! Harry, Professor Quirrell will be one of your teachers at Hogwarts.
Quirrell shakes Harry's hand.
QUIRENIUS QUIRRELL
P-P-Potter, c-can't t-tell you how p- pleased I am to meet you.
HARRY POTTER
What sort of magic do you teach, Professor Quirrell?
QUIRENIUS QUIRRELL
D-Defence Against the D-D-Dark Arts. N-not that you n-need it, eh, P-P-Potter? You'll be g-getting all your equipment, I suppose? I've g-got to p-pick up a new b-book on vampires, m-myself.
Quirrell leaves. The others want another handshake.
RUBEUS HAGRID
Must get on - lots ter buy. Come on, Harry.
Hagrid pulls Harry away from a handshake with Doris Crockford.
EXT. LEAKY CAULDRON > DIAGON ALLEY COURTYARD - LATE MORNING
(CONTINUOUS ACTION) (1/8/1991)
Harry and Hagrid enter.
RUBEUS HAGRID
Told yeh, didn't I? Told yeh you was famous. Even Professor Quirrell was tremblin' ter meet yeh - mind you, he's usually tremblin'
HARRY POTTER
Is he always that nervous?
RUBEUS HAGRID
Oh, yeah. Poor bloke. Brilliant mind. He was fine while he was studyin' outta books but then he took a year off ter get some firsthand experience … They say he met vampires in the Black Forest, and there was a nasty bit o' trouble with a hag - never been the same since. Scared of the students, scared of his own subject now, where's me umbrella?
Harry pauses, the new information swimming around his head. Hagrid pulls out his umbrella and counts the bricks on the wall.
RUBEUS HAGRID (CONT’D)
Two up...
(He moves his umbrella two bricks up from a dustbin)
Three across...
(And three across.)
Right, stand back, Harry.
He taps the wall three times. Slowly, a hole emerges. It spirals, the bricks with it, until it makes an archway so large Hagrid can fit through it.
RUBEUS HAGRID (CONT’D)
Welcome, to Diagon Alley.
EXT. DIAGON ALLEY - LATE MORNING
(CONTINUOUS ACTION) (1/8/1991)
It is a cobbled street packed with shops and shoppers. The sun relects of a Cauldron and brings Harry's eyes to the Cauldron shop. "Cauldrons - All Sizes - Copper, Brass, Pewter, Silver - Self-Stirring - Collapsible" says the sign.
RUBEUS HAGRID
Yeah, you'll be needin' one, but we gotta get yer money first.
They pass an Apothecary...
APOTHECARY LADY
Dragon liver, sixteen Sickles an ounce, they're mad!
...and Eeylops Owl Emporium where the sign advertises "Tawny Screech, Barn, Brown, and Snowy". All these species snooze or hoot. From in or outside the shop. They pass another shop were boys admire a broomstick in the shops window...
QUIDDITCH BOY
Look! The new Nimbus Two Thousand - fastest ever -
RUBEUS HAGRID
Gringotts!
A snowy white building towers ahead. Two short creatures guard the doors.
RUBEUS HAGRID (CONT’D)
(Whisphering to Harry)
Yeah, those are goblins.
They make their way through the front door.
INT. GRINGOTTS FOYER - LATE MORNING
(CONTINUOUS ACTION) (1/8/1991)
The doors shut behind them. Harry reaches for one of the the next doors, which are silver, but Hagrid shakes his head. Harry is just about to ask Hagrid why, when, suddenly, a voice is heard.
GRINGOTTS VOICE (V.O.)
Enter, stranger, but take heed, Of what awaits the sin of greed, For those who take, but do not earn, Must pay most dearly in their turn. So if you seek beneath our floors, A treasure that was never yours, Thief, you have been warned, beware Of finding more than treasure here.
As this is said, it is etched upon the doors. It stay there for a while, then fades.
RUBEUS HAGRID
Like I said, you'd be mad ter try an' rob it.
The doors open themselves.
INT. GRINGOTTS HALL - LATE MORNING
(CONTINUOUS ACTION) (1/8/1991)
Two goblins bow them inside. Hagrid makes his way to one of the many counters.
RUBEUS HAGRID
Morning. We've come ter take some money outta Mr Harry Potter's safe.
GRINGOTTS GOBLIN
You have his key, sir?
RUBEUS HAGRID
Got it here somewhere.
And he empties a few pockets, searching. The goblin crinkles his nose when moudly dog-biscuts are put on his desk.
RUBEUS HAGRID (CONT’D)
(Holding up the key)
Got it.
The goblin takes it and examines it.
GRINGOTTS GOBLIN
That seems to be in order.
RUBEUS HAGRID
An' I've also got a letter here from Professor Dumbledore. It's about the You-Know-What in vault seven hundred and thirteen.
The goblin looks sideways at Hagrid, takes the letter, and skims it.
RUBEUS HAGRID (CONT’D)
Very well. I will have someone take you down to both vaults. Griphook!
Another goblin makes his way forward. He signals them towards one of the doors to the side of the hall.
HARRY POTTER
'What's the You-Know-What in vault seven hundred and thirteen?
RUBEUS HAGRID
Can't tell yeh that. Very secret. Hogwarts business. Dumbledore's trusted me. More'n my job's worth ter tell yeh that.
INT. HARRY'S VAULT - GRINGOTTS - LATE MORNING
(A LITTLE LATER) (1/8/1991)
Harry and Hagrid get out of the cart. Griphook unlocks the vault. Green smoke billows. It clears and suddenly Harry's face changes to shock and mounds of gold, silver and bronze can be seen.
RUBEUS HAGRID
All yours.
(He put some into a bag for Harry as Harry is too shocked)
The gold ones are Galleons. Seventeen silver Sickles to a Galleon and twenty-nine Knuts to a Sickle, it's easy enough. Right, that should be enough fer a couple o' terms, we'll keep the rest safe for yeh.
Hagrid hands the bag to Harry and the vault closes.
RUBEUS HAGRID (CONT’D)
Vault seven hundred and thirteen now, please.
INT. VAULT 713 - GRINGOTTS - LATE MORNING
(A LITTLE LATER) (1/8/1991)
It has no keyhole. Griphook arrives, followed by Harry and Hagrid.
GRIPHOOK
Stand back!
Griphook runs his finger over the door. The door melts away.

GRIPHOOK (CONT’D)
If anyone but a Gringotts goblin tried that, they'd be sucked through the door and trapped in there.

HARRY POTTER
How often do you check to see if anyone's inside?

GRIPHOOK
About once every ten years.

Harry looks anxiously into the vault, but it is empty. Hagrid holds a small, grubby package.

RUBEUS HAGRID
Come on, back in thus infernal cart.

They go back in the cart. Vault 713 reseals itself.

THE END

loonylovegood_

December 9th, 2007, 8:03 pm

I don't think a TV series would be good at all. Because most programmes just play random episodes and with Harry Potter it would be "To Be Continued.." At every episode.
God no! Stick to the films.

xmermaidx

December 9th, 2007, 8:24 pm

No thankyou.
TV would completely kill the magic of it all.

I_Am_The_Batman

December 9th, 2007, 9:16 pm

I think that'd be a very good idea instead of the movies. But I wouldn't want it to turn into that Disney ****.

Epona

December 9th, 2007, 9:21 pm

It isn't a bad idea, but the books really are not written to be cut up into loads of little bits like that.

cassidinia

December 18th, 2007, 9:34 pm

I believe that if they persued a television series, it would be possible to film multiple chapters per episode. the reason chapters are so long is because in the books, the author has to paint a picture in the readers' minds with her words. however, if put it into a visual forum all you're left with is the dialogue. this way they should be able to portray one book per season, giving seven seasons to the show. with the popularity of the harry potter series, the merchandising alone from doing a series would make it more than worth the effort. besides, it would be great to see some of my favorites scenes from the books that weren't included in the movies played out (like malfoy getting the **** beat out of him in OoTP)

Dark Emperor

December 19th, 2007, 8:39 pm

A TV series, if done right, would be totally ace. And if done wrong would last less than Viva Laughlin.

Rather than say whether or not its a good idea, since its really a 50/50 kind of thing, one should postulate HOW it should be done, since thats the key. Obviously one book a season, with multiple chapters (or even jut one chapter if its particularly important) per episode.

One thing to really take into mind that, quite opposite from a movie, they would actually have to add more than there is, and if JK was to supervise, that could make things more interesting to say the least....

LoonyMagic

December 19th, 2007, 9:10 pm

It isn't a bad idea, but the books really are not written to be cut up into loads of little bits like that.

Well said. :tu: I can't see any parts of the books that could be easily cut up into small viewings. The films were the best way to go, IMO. I don't think it would be a success if they released a TV series.

Voldemorts8thHorcrux

December 19th, 2007, 9:24 pm

I think this would be an awesome idea, you know, if it was just the books, and not stuff the producers make up. there are some things, like when voldemort comes out of the cauldron he's completely naked, i would probably invite changes like that. but as for everything else, at least the actions, with proper acting can be really good. I mean seriously, we dont see any of the times of the book that are supposed to be funny and stuff. like when in divination class ron joked that Harry's dream meant he was going to be eaten by a marshmellow. the movie takes stuff like that out to save time, but a tv series wouldn't.

Minxie

December 20th, 2007, 3:43 am

As for live action, I wouldn't mind seeing them do that in a prequel show for the Marauders.

I agree with Al_Patterson, TheExiledOracle and cbears34 - if there's ever a Harry Potter tv series it seriously should be something about the Marauder Era, a prequel. I was just thinking how awesome its potential would be. It could be something in the vein of Smallville like cbears34 said - I doubt a lot of people expected much out of the guys pitching a show about Clark Kent in his teenage, high school days, but the show has done fairly well for itself.

A show about the Marauders could be a lot of things, maybe starting off when they're all First Years going to Hogwarts for the first time, and then you could have one season = one year, meaning seven+ more years of the Harry Potter world for fans to enjoy.

Personally, I'd rather it started off with them a few years older, like fourteen or fifteen already, and one season wouldn't necessarily cover one entire year... maybe half a year. Like Smallville it would mostly be about the romance, teen angst, with James and Lily being the center, epic couple, and also about their growth into the remarkable people they're meant to become. There could also be side couple drama with Sirius (probably being the player he's often portrayed as in fanfiction). Heck, Remus could have a little romance drama, too - his story would be much more melancholy because of his furry little problem.

I think it wouldn't be as cringe-worthy and sappy as Smallville and other teen shows tend to be, too, because we all know how important James, Lily, Remus, Peter, Sirius and Snape's futures are, and that things that happened to them as teenagers had huge, rippling effects on Harry and co's lives. And besides the romance there could be a lot of comedy involved and plenty of dark suspense in the background (with the First War going on away from Hogwarts). The show could even go on when they're post-Hogwarts, and show everyone joining the Order and leading up to James and Lily's deaths.

It really has so much potential if you think about it. It'd be a great way to fill in details about James and Lily that everyone's always wanted to know. I know I'd be a loyal viewer, since I'm fascinated with anything MWPP era in general :).

If JKR got involved with the project herself, it'd be even better. I'd be happy knowing she was some kind of creative director for the show (cuz I doubt she'd do outright script-writing, lol). Or at least she could approve story arcs and things that the show's writers come up with.

mac_attack

December 20th, 2007, 7:14 am

It has it's pro's and con's like anything else. If it were to stay true exactly to the books and include the small sub-plots and humor that is left out, I would watch it. :agree:
Technically, you could cut it up into episodes without really hurting it any. The books are cut into chapters, and Idk about others on here, but I am often busy and sometimes 3 or 4 days can go by from when I leave off reading to when I pick back up again. It doesn't really mess up the flow for me, so why should episodes do that?

It would have to have new actors, obviously, as the kids are way to old to look 11 now! But I don't think it would be horrible to see another actor's adaptation of a character. Who knows...the TV show actors could even turn out to be better than the movie ones.

I don't think it will ever happen, but it would be a good way to go I think. It would definitely be more true to the books than the movies are. I think it could work.

jessicarowling

December 26th, 2007, 3:14 am

i also had the same idea for a harry potter TV show. i really hope that by the time they decide to have this, i can actually audition for a part (that would mean i have to be a british citizen). :D

skullangel

February 8th, 2008, 11:58 am

I was cruising you tube and found this video called hogwarts.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yuiQ18ApRkU

What the vid maker was remix Save me by Remy Zero into Harry potter video... I must say it is very impressive... If someone was going to make a TV series it wouldnt look half bad...

A series in at least 5 years is a long shot at least...

ArryGrotter

April 13th, 2008, 6:31 am

I would be very scared if this ever happens

Hysteria

April 13th, 2008, 7:57 am

IMO this is the worst idea anybody has ever had concerning HP. Please don't let it happen...

skullangel

April 18th, 2008, 1:17 pm

I also found this...
the maker... TOOK a VERY serious approach...
Youtubers... Enjoy!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8W6F06k2zww&feature=related -5th Season of Hogwarts.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bRdOpwnPDCY&feature=related -4th Season of Hogwarts.

PureBloodGirl

April 18th, 2008, 8:55 pm

You know I could go for a Harry Potter TV series. I think it would be pretty cool. If it was done in the right way anyways. In the right way I mean to use the stars of the movie if possible, add in some parts that were left out in the movies from the books, not make it cheesy, make it to be like a Novella, and use a good director and some good writers for the series. I actually think that it is possible that a TV series could come along. The Harry Potter franchise is getting very big and very popular that it could branch out into a TV series.

Everhope

April 18th, 2008, 10:01 pm

Sorry but I really don't like the idea at all. I can see why some might, but I see it becoming too distant from the books, and yeah different actors totally wouldn't work for me now.

PureblooMuggle

June 19th, 2008, 12:57 am

I was thinking about it, and I wouldn't like animation or graphic novel, because that would be... too odd for me.

But, a high-budget tv would be... I would either love it or hate it... but I would welcome it, even if it was off-canon, but this way we could go way more in-depth than the movie, like Smallville (I was tentative at first, but now I love it).

If I were a producer of a TV series, I would be all for a pre-Harry show, like about the Marauders or Tom Riddle, because they'd have room for much more creative liason, plus it would be very anticipated because Harry Potter is already a phenomanom, and it wouldn't disapoint fans as much because there's not as much canon. But, if it was poorly done... its fragile with us picky HP fanatics. :lol: Anyway, it probably will never happen...

Whose for a Marauders TV series?

Bl00dyChAoS16

June 19th, 2008, 5:30 pm

shaun0505

June 20th, 2008, 2:37 pm

It could work. But I think the films have a better chance for money making opertunities, which after all, is what film studios want.

A Post Harry TV series may work. With the kids and all... or completley different characters, that may work. But the HP series itself...no

la_z_boy

June 20th, 2008, 10:37 pm

If they could work out good storylines for a TV series involving either the kids of the trio or the Marauders' adventures that occurred before the actual series, then yeah I might be on board. Personally, I think a show about the Marauders definitely has potential, but again it'd have to be done completely right.

If it's live-action or animated, I wouldn't care.

goldensphinx

July 8th, 2008, 2:29 am

I saw this and I immediately thought 'no!' Yet now, it may not be such a bad thing. Maybe in a few years after the movies have died down we could resurrect it again in a TV series.

Sam_the_Player

September 29th, 2008, 6:58 pm

Skilgannon_AHP

September 29th, 2008, 7:00 pm

But i bet in about 30 years when HP is all over and its a legend, theyll make some sort of tv thing. :lol:

Lol, it's gonna be 30 years before the Deathly Hallows comes out at this rate. Daniel Radcliffe is gonna be in his 40's!

vampiricduck

September 29th, 2008, 7:43 pm

I was thinking about this the other day. I remember tv series from movies that worked and vice versa, but I'm not sure it would work in terms of Harry Potter unless JK Rowling were on board or at least gave us the basic ideas behind what she was thinking, because otherwise we would not be telling the story as she saw it (and I would never wish for that to happen).

Admittedly I had not thought about a tv series outside of the novels- I was thinking that often times, serializations occur, and that maybe this would be the way to bring Harry to television. I'm not sure though.

Good question, I'm thinking about it in much more detail now! :D

Bscorp

September 29th, 2008, 7:46 pm

I fantasize about a t.v. series based on Young Marauders and Death Eaters.

It would be awesome.

mrfutterman

September 29th, 2008, 8:36 pm

It could work. But I think the films have a better chance for money making opertunities, which after all, is what film studios want.

What is relevant is what JKR wanted. And what she wanted, and what she got, was a deal - a money-making opportunity - with a big Hollywood studio to whom she sold the film rights.

A Post Harry TV series may work. With the kids and all... or completley different characters, that may work. But the HP series itself...no

Copyright infringement. Ain't gonna happen.

eaglestreasure

September 29th, 2008, 10:15 pm

vampiricduck

September 29th, 2008, 10:53 pm

I fantasize about a t.v. series based on Young Marauders and Death Eaters.

It would be awesome.

Ooh, ditto! I'd love to see them all growing up! But it would be ever harder, with a tv series, to keep all parties happy with the ideas put before them.

AndreaQOA

October 4th, 2008, 5:05 pm

I think that this would be an excellent idea. I'm not the greatest fan either of the movies, and I think that this would be an AMAZING TV show for after the book series. (As they can't scrape all of the movies to make a tv show for the entire book series.) Also, that wouldn't require new actors/actresses for the characters, if it was the next generation of Hogwarts. Wow, that would be so much fun, and it would soooo widely watched, too...

GemmaBlack

October 4th, 2008, 5:38 pm

I think a series would be brilliant, Either the older generation when they were young, Sirius, James, e.c.t. But I think the younger ones, Harrys children and the rest would be so great as a series!

vampiricduck

October 4th, 2008, 7:29 pm

I think a series would be brilliant, Either the older generation when they were young, Sirius, James, e.c.t. But I think the younger ones, Harrys children and the rest would be so great as a series!

Aw! I had actually only thought about it in terms of the older generation, skipped the generation we know most about, and never considered the younger one at all. But I do think it would be nice to know more about the children we were briefly introduced to in Nineteen years later... It would be really sweet to know what became of them!

I suppose, really, it's only a matter of time before a tv series comes on someone's agenda somewhere, eh?

TerrierMom

October 4th, 2008, 8:29 pm

ShanksForte

October 4th, 2008, 8:48 pm

I'd love a TV show, I'd welcome a less "flashy" presentation than the movies, especially if it included some of the story bits left out from the books during the book --> movie adaption.

deansboy

October 5th, 2008, 12:01 am

If they made it, I hope the BBC would do it. Or one of the cable networks if it HAD to be a a US company. They've done some decent stuff. I've watched US TV for decades now. I don't think ABC, CBS, NBC, and Fox could resist the temptation to do something hideous to it to "spice it up" a bit. They'd either Reality Show-ify it, or turn it into a soap opera instead of leaving well enough alone. The main US networks have really gone downhill with their programming in the last 10-15 years. Time was when they might have done an okay job.

It's cause cable and satellite have destroyed them, more and more of the better shows that were once staples of network tv go to cable because, even on a basic channel, you get much more freedom and money. Imagine the person who wants to redo the series but eschew the family friendly approach that the movies have gone with and instead stay with the darker feel of the books, do you really think they'd go on network tv? A Harry Potter would never be put on network television, the money and constraints would be too much of a negative.

TerrierMom

October 5th, 2008, 12:08 am

It's cause cable and satellite have destroyed them, more and more of the better shows that were once staples of network tv go to cable because, even on a basic channel, you get much more freedom and money. Imagine the person who wants to redo the series but eschew the family friendly approach that the movies have gone with and instead stay with the darker feel of the books, do you really think they'd go on network tv? A Harry Potter would never be put on network television, the money and constraints would be too much.

Cable was kicking the networks butts even in the 80's, but they still managed some quality shows then and in the 90's as well. Network TV has been dreadful ever since they all decided that Reality TV was easier and cheaper than actually developing shows with some more substance. Now they'll struggle to produce better stuff even if they want to, because writers and producers would rather have the freedom and money cable provides.

Gynni

October 5th, 2008, 9:33 am

Wow, that's a really interesting idea. Never thought about it before. Generally, I'm not a fan of TV-series but a Harry Potter one would be great :D It would keep the fandom going forever and ever, kind of “every fans dream”.
Especially if they made something different from what's in the books. I wouldn't like it to be a series for children though, more like one for teenagers. (Well, as most HP-fans are now teenagers, or even older.)
Don't think it'll ever happen thought, would be so expensive to make it good, and still many would be disappointed about it. When it all comes to an end, most HP-fans seem to prefer wizard rock and fanfics to the big, commercial stuff (or at least most of them I know).

Solaris23

October 6th, 2008, 2:46 am

If someone like HBO or a similar station that prided itself of mature storylines, multiple character arcs and was able to have the budget capabilities to be able to do HP justice than I think it would be a very good idea. Especially when it can offer a good opportunity to explore the lives of the other students that went to school during Harry's time there and also see what they thought and did during the events of the seven books, maybe even having episodes that took away from Hogwarts and set in the homes of some of the students and their families but also in Diagon and Knockturn Alley and other places mentioned in the books.

TheShley

October 17th, 2008, 4:36 pm

xhanax315

October 17th, 2008, 4:57 pm

I think it'd be a cool idea if they did make the series. I think I'd prefer it far more better than the movies, especially if they stick to the storyline and add in all the stuff that was cut from the movies. I know it'd be one tv series I would definitely watch everytime it came on, it wouldn't be forgotten! :cool:

Jack5555

October 18th, 2008, 2:46 am

Having it as a TV series would fit more in, but I like the movies, and it just wouldn't just be the same.

DigificWriter

November 1st, 2008, 7:10 pm

Joining this discussion after I tried to start a thread on the topic. I haven't had a chance to read through the rest of this thread to get a gist of other people's ideas, but here's some of mine:
I think you could get JKR's entire story - almost verbatim - onto the small screen, but not in the exact structure, pacing-wise, that she does in the books. The audience would need to become aware of or cognizant of certain things (such as Dumbledore's awareness of Harry's destiny and his certainty that Voldemort will eventually return) but, other than that, I think the novels could be adapted to episodic tv fairly smoothly, without a whole lot of cutting.

I've come up with a rough idea of how Season 1 of a HP tv series could play itself out, which is as follows:
- In the series premiere, you introduce many of the primary characters (like Harry, Ron Hermione, the Dursleys, Dumbledore, etc.), and track Harry's early journey as he's introduced to the Wizarding world for the first time. You also visit Hogwarts and see a bit of the planning that's being done to lure Voldemort - through his servant Quirrell - back out into the open, and hint at Harry's greater destiny (without giving the full secret of the prophecy away).

- As the series progresses, you focus primarily on Harry's day-to-day activities, as well as on his growing awareness of and deduction about the plotting going on behind-the-scenes with regards to the Sorcerer's Stone; you also track and develop his relationships with other students, both in and out of his House, and introduce supporting characters who will play key roles in later seasons (like Ginny, Neville, etc.). You also reveal Quirrell's connection to Voldemort to the audience so that they can track the evolution of his and Voldemort's plans.

- Finally, in the season finale, you resolve the Sorcerer's Stone arc, reveal Quirrell as the bad guy to Harry, and set up his return to the Dursleys, the promise of an invite to the Burrow, and any other things you'd need to have in place for the season two premiere.

Thoughts?

skullangel

November 3rd, 2008, 10:11 am

If they where going to make a series there are a few concepts I've seen on you tube which i find that could easily set the tone of a possible series

<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/C1QY9fQUGns&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/C1QY9fQUGns&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object> This looks like a VERY GOOD Season One intro.
This one also done by dutasaintgreen at you tube... More closer to Charmed another tv series which also involved in magic

<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/uVM28MUx-xk&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/uVM28MUx-xk&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>
Smallville style which could feature a lot of teen angst. This was done By a favorite vidmaker of mine at you tube, NICE WORK DUTA!

Green_Arrow

April 16th, 2009, 9:05 pm

I wouldn't mind a spin-off HP-tv series - you know, based on the character from the next generation! :err: :D

Kanksha

April 18th, 2009, 3:56 pm

Oooooh I was wishing for this around the time HBP came out, I'd made a detailed analysis with a friend of mine of a possible TV series with seven seasons for the seven books.

It would be perfect! We would get all of JKR's story, every itty bitty little detail, plus so much more! HP is perfect TV show material, it combines every single requisite to make it interesting - fantasy/ a saviour/ romance/ angst/ affairs rooted in the past :p/ a villain who won't quit/ a fantastic array of very interesting characters!

How I wish we could get this! Its my ultimate fantasy!

witchgirl

April 21st, 2009, 5:39 pm

Vita

April 21st, 2009, 5:52 pm

I think the problem with a series would be the lack of appeal for individual episodes. If a tv show was to follow the plot of the books closely it would be hard for non fans to jump in the middle of a season and therefore not have the viewership it would need for a high budget. It would have what I call the LOST syndrome. The tv series LOST is a very hard show to pick up unless you have watched all or most of the episodes because so much of the plot relies on backstory. Avid HP fans like us would love a HP series but so much of the movies successfulness was based off of non fans coming into the series halfway in. It was much easier for them to catch what was going on in a longer movie that it would be for a 40 minute weekly episode. In my opinion a tv series just would not be profitable and would therefore fail.

mactheknife

April 21st, 2009, 10:21 pm

at first i thought that this would be an absurd idea, :lol: but the more i thought about it i realised that, IF DONE PROPERLY, and followed the source material (i.e was closer to the books than the latter movies, also the funding would have to be pretty substantial aswell!!) then it would be an AWESOME idea! :lol: ...it could be done like each episode was a chapter!! :D:D:D

Bunny

April 21st, 2009, 11:14 pm

it could be done like each episode was a chapter!!
Oh my goodness - now there's a thought!

I'd love to see a TV series done, but I think that I would like them to wait a few years. Let the dust settle on the films a bit.

katana

April 21st, 2009, 11:23 pm

I would love to see a tv series done on these books.

I agree with Bunny that they should wait so many years after the films end though.

It would be odd though to see other actors portraying everyone in the books. To me, Dan Radcliffe will always be Harry Potter etc.

AccioLumos

April 22nd, 2009, 12:40 am

i actually think that's a great idea!

each episode a chapter.

or even just each book separated into a season in accordance with how it would best work for tv.

that smallville version of the opening creduts is outstanding!

EmmyRocks

April 22nd, 2009, 12:52 am

Me too! I would totally watch that!! :agree:

AccioLumos

April 22nd, 2009, 12:59 am

Some credits in One Tree Hill Style that i thought were quite well done.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=akLDTsSACmU&feature=related

if someone could explain how to embed on these forums that would be great.

mactheknife

April 22nd, 2009, 1:10 am

glad so many of u liked my idea :tu: , i also agree with Bunny, they should def wait a few years for the movies to have ended! more time for planning, plus something else in the Potterverse to look forward to ;)!!

katana

April 22nd, 2009, 6:03 pm

mactheknife

April 22nd, 2009, 7:58 pm

And you know......most tv shows average 7-10 years. That's perfect with there being 7 books. A few of the books could even span two seasons, like GOF, OOTP and DH. And with 1-2 chapters per episode (considering the length and content of a chapter) it could totally work.
They should just totally do it! :lol:

yeh they should seriously consider these ideas lol!! a Harry Potter tv series that could last 10 years?? sounds awesome to me!!! ;)

TiberiusMaximus

May 10th, 2009, 10:47 pm

If it ever happens, please dear god let it be on HBO. Everything made by HBO is always better than any other channel's shows.

That's exactly what I was going to say.

Give it some time, so that they can use new actors without alienating the audience used to Grint, Watson, and Radcliffe. But if we were able to go back in time, knowing how untrue to the books most of the movies have been (I am especially not a fan of the OotP movie), I would vote for an HBO series. They would have the time and freedom to include minor plot details, and the extra scenes unrelated to the plot that make HP so good. I love adaptions that stay true to the book, right down to the dialogue and that would be possible with a series. If each episode were an hour and each season a dozen or so episodes, it would be brilliant.

I just really would like that amount of time in the adaptions. I would be completely willing, and excited, to sit in the theatre for a 12 hour movie, if they were willing to make it. I would still go see it multiple times.

I think for a series, though, it would definitely need some sort of grace period, so that the series would be bringing HP to life for the next generation.

FemmeCerebus

August 2nd, 2009, 5:18 am

I would love it on TV - really a lot of time to do all the detail that delights in the books, and get all the odd characters in. Plus it would match a school season exactly.

It's been a long time since the movie PS/SS and my nephews 6 & 8 are just starting to get into HP, so I don't see the need to wait after the end of the last DH movie.

Busterella

August 2nd, 2009, 9:20 pm

I've long thought that a mini-series could be far more true to the books and characters than the movies ever were. It would have to be quite the mini-series since each book deserves a good 6 hours of film.

The only worry with a TV show that lasts years is that the inevitable issues that child stars growing up go through, especially is they are huge celebrities to begin with. Another issue is that any child star remaining that long with one single character will inevitably be so typecast that their career will be over when the show finally ends. There have been very few child stars that have survived that kind of typecasting.
There's also the worry that the writers will alter the storyline after a few years due to public demand and at least a shorter mini-series would avoid that.

Pride and Prejudice fans who've seen the BBC/A&E mini-series will understand.

Jezabel

August 2nd, 2009, 9:30 pm

Pride and Prejudice fans who've seen the BBC/A&E mini-series will understand.

I know EXACTLY what you mean about the Pride and Prejudice mini-series. That was the best adaptation of the book ever and it could really go into detail due to the extended time alloted.
As for an HP mini-series....it's a really good idea but if it ever happens it would have to be years from now and it might seem a bit weak in comparison to the blockbuster movies.

clockstopper

August 2nd, 2009, 10:50 pm

i liked this idea very much but i think it will be better to do it animated otherwise it'll be confusing couse you couldnt use the same actors but all the same theyll have to be british and we already had the best british actors doing the movies and the company that tries to do it would need a very big budget to so animated would be great it'll add some style and artistic view to the series

SevrusSnape

August 3rd, 2009, 12:50 am

It would definitely be sweet to see a TV series for the books because then you would really be able to go into detail, but there is zero chance this will ever happen. Maybe sometime down the road they can do something similar to the Star Wars Clone Wars TV series and do stuff that isn't from the books or the movies and make a different spin off

Saebel

August 3rd, 2009, 6:34 am

Give it 20 years, and the original cast can play the epilogue. ;) This series definitely has to be redone, either in movie or television format, and done so that the original audience can see an adaptation worthy of the books. Bugger a new generation, I want it done right! ;)

MinervasCat

August 12th, 2009, 2:54 am

But i bet in about 30 years when HP is all over and its a legend, theyll make some sort of tv thing. :lol:

As much as I would like to see a chapter of Harry's adventures each week, I'm afraid it would end up like "M*A*S*H", "The Odd Couple" and others that have come and gone. They might stay true to the story for the first season or so and then go off on a tangent using the characters we all have grown so fond of in plots and scenarios that JKR wouldn't even have considered and we would all be disappointed with.

I would vote "no."

Jigga

August 12th, 2009, 2:57 am

They should take a page out of Star Wars/s book an allow for extra stories to be written. Like the EU in Star Wars, it could be like the EWW (expanded wizarding world). Backstories for obscure characters, or conflicts in other wizarding nations

MinervasCat

August 12th, 2009, 3:03 am

Hmmmmm, interesting concept. It would be nice to see background stories on many of the other characters. Like how Arthur and Molly met. The Marauders. Snape's story. Dumbledore's story.....there's a whole season.

2green_eyes

August 12th, 2009, 3:07 am

MyHeroIsLuna

August 12th, 2009, 3:40 am

But isn't George Lucas directing all the storylines in mini-series such as the Clone Wars? If anything were to be done with backstories or little oddities, J.K. Rowling would have to oversee it. I find that highly doubtful, considering she has put the series almost totally behind her.

I would prefer more books that more film or television renditions any day.

2green_eyes

August 12th, 2009, 3:46 am

I would prefer more books that more film or television renditions any day.

Oh I agree, but if there is a way to make money then there will be a will.

lovehedwig

August 12th, 2009, 5:47 am

ah, posted here already, but my mind has changed with the whole TV series thing.

I considered this, at first, and thought it wasn't that great of an idea. But then I thought about Pride and Prejudice, how there was both a blockbuster movie adaptation and a TV-movie adaptation. Most people who have read the book have preferred the 6 hour long TV-movie adaptation rather than the blockbuster movie one, so this go me thinking: if HP were to be made into a TV movie that was longer than its usual 2 1/2 hours, including EVERYTHING in the book, would that be better?
I don't know if this thought was mentioned already; if so, sorry for repeating it. :)
But this just got me wanting a HP TV movie adaptation that DID include everything in the book. I mean, the books aren't that long, but the adaptations could just be longer for the longer books. And since it's aired on TV, people don't HAVE to watch it all through it; maybe readers of the book would be willing to watch all of it. I would, at least. :D
But yeah, that's just me thoughts. I don't know about the TV series, but a TV movie, like the Pride and Prejudice one, would be nice. (I personally haven't watched the TV-movie one, but my friends have said it was A LOT better than the one with Kiera Knightley).

SevrusSnape

August 13th, 2009, 6:23 am

The more I think about it the more I don't like the idea. It definitely wouldn't make as much money as the movies would because it would just get it for season DVD sales. I don't think as many people would watch and follow the series because adults are not going to want to watch it on a constant basis and in some chapters not a lot happens and would be a waste of an episode. I'm satisfied with movies

aishah

August 28th, 2009, 5:23 pm

Great idea!
but i think what the people are thinking is that HP is a children's book (kind of) and that i am pretty sure that kids these days dont follow tv series. only teens / adults do that

Wab

August 28th, 2009, 5:28 pm

But this just got me wanting a HP TV movie adaptation that DID include everything in the book.

It would be tedious beyond belief and pulled halfway through the first season due to poor ratings.

DarkLord7

September 5th, 2009, 11:09 pm

That would actually be a really great idea, depending on how well it was done.

whodude

September 5th, 2009, 11:26 pm

I think this could easily a lot better than the films, they would be able to include most of the side stories (S.P.E.W. etc) and do a better job with the main stories than the films. It could be done similar to how they are doing Legend of the Seeker, which is based on The Sword of Truth novels, at the minute, having one season based on one book.

However, they would have to wait about 15/20 years, otherwise what was the point of making the movies? It would have to be done right as well. If it was done wrong then it would get cancelled after one/two seasons because no HP fan would want to watch a poorly made TV epiosde every week.