It's been almost 12 years since Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 2 hit theaters back in 2011. Since then, the cinematic landscape has changed a lot, and J.K. Rowling has even authorized a play to be written about Harry Potter's life after the seventh book in the series. The play, known as Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, centers around Harry's relationship with his son, Albus Severus, who finds himself in Slytherin over at Hogwarts.
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child first premiered in 2016, but it hasn't quite gained the reputation of the book series. Some fans are not entirely sold on the story in the sequel, while other controversies have rocked the Harry Potter franchise, which has expanded considerably to include video games like Hogwarts Legacy. Still, Harry Potter remains in the cultural consciousness. With nostalgia always holding sway over audiences, many fans have begun asking: will Harry Potter and the Cursed Child be a movie?
What is Harry Potter and the Cursed Child About?
To put it simply: Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is about legacy and parenthood. The wizarding world is in a brighter time; Hermione Granger, Minister of Magic, has repealed many draconian laws against Muggle-Borns and other magical sentients, Harry is Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement. Ron is working with George at Weasley's Wizard Wheezes, the family joke shop. All are happily married, with kids of their own; but the past still looms large over their heads.
The play picks off right after the epilogue: Harry's younger son, Albus Severus, is headed off to Hogwarts. He makes the acquaintance of Scorpius Malfoy, son of Draco, and gets sorted in Slytherin. While Albus discovers a different side of Slytherin, being sorted into the House places a lot of strain on his relationship with his family (despite Harry having told Albus he wouldn't mind if his son was sorted into Slytherin). Albus is also fairly average in every way, meaning he struggles to live up to his father's legacy. Over the next four years, he and Scorpius become best friends, but both have issues with their parents. Eventually, this comes to a head when a new type of Time Turner enters the story.
Did J.K. Rowling Write Harry Potter and the Cursed Child?
Rowling, who has been at the center of numerous controversies recently, did not write Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. She was consulted, and is credited with working on the story, but ultimately it was playwright Jack Thorne who wrote the screenplay. Rowling presumably provided story details such as the House Albus ended up being sorted into alongside the careers of the legacy characters. As such, it's generally considered canon, though this status is heavily disputed among fans that argue anything not explicitly written by Rowling shouldn't be taken at face value.
Will Harry Potter and the Cursed Child Be A Movie?
Ultimately, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child has not received any announcement about becoming a feature film. The Harry Potter franchise has been stated to be a focus for Warner Bros. Moving forward. Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore underperformed at the box office and received tepid critical reviews, meaning that that branch of the franchise is unlikely to move forward. CEO David Zaslav's comments also indicate that, when he was speaking about the Harry Potter franchise, he meant the mainline series. So it's entirely possible that Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is an adaptation the studio is interested in - the studio is reportedly hungry for more Harry Potter from Rowling.
On the other hand, Rowling's various controversies have galvanized the cast and crew from the film franchise. While several actors, such as Ralph Fiennes, who plays Voldemort, have stated that they're totally up for more Harry Potter, other actors and actresses aren't too keen on the idea. Emma Watson reportedly stated she would be willing to work with Harry Potter if Rowling wasn't involved. As Watson's portrayal of Hermione is considered to be iconic, it's quite possible that recasting her, should the studio choose to work with Rowling again, would alienate fans.
Then there's Daniel Radcliffe, who has publicly spoken out against Rowling. Radcliffe is undoubtedly a must-have for any future Harry Potter films - he plays the title character. But reservations about working with Rowling is a serious concern when discussing his return, and that may muddy the water. Radcliffe has also struggled to shed the image of Harry Potter, and has taken numerous serious roles in the years since he left the role - he may not be keen on returning.
The play's storyline has also been widely criticized by fans. Some find it difficult to see Harry Potter portrayed as a depressed adult with a strained relationship with his son; others find the story's plot to be inconsistent with the established laws of the series' universe. While it's not a given that the play's plot would be what any Harry Potter sequel might cover, it does complicate things should the studio decide to go in another direction.