It’s been reported that HBO — owned by Warner Bros. Discovery — is in talks to produce a new TV adaptation of J. K. Rowling’s Harry Potter book series.
According to Bloomberg, each season of the series would be based on one of Rowling’s seven main entries in the Harry Potter series, potentially meaning a franchise that spans many years for the entertainment conglomerate. The publication claims that the report has come from ‘a person with knowledge of the matter’.
According to the unnamed source, David Zaslav, the CEO of Warner Bros Discovery, and HBO boss Casey Bloys are said to have been trying to persuade Rowling to get involved with the series as a producer.
The source said that Rowling wouldn’t be involved in the televised adaptation as the primary creator, nor would she lead the day-to-day running of the production, but she would ensure that the programme ‘remains loyal to her original material’ if a deal is struck.
Warner Bros.
The publication said that a spokesperson for Warner Bros declined to comment. The news comes as Warner Bros. Discovery is reportedly looking for the series to form part of the company’s new streaming strategy, as it prepares to host a presentation for investors and the general public next week on April 12th.
The presentation will preview its new streaming platform – which will combine HBO Max and Discovery+ into one – along with its upcoming raft of streaming content.
It was Warner Bros. who was responsible for the Harry Potter film series, bringing Rowling’s books to life on the big screen between 2001 and 2011.
Daniel Ogren / Flickr
Starting with Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, there were eight film instalments in the wildly successful franchise, concluding with Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2. Together, the eight films generated some $7.7billion at the global box office.
Since then, Warner Bros. has produced and distributed multiple spin-off films based on the Harry Potter world: 2016’s Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, 2018’s Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald, and last year’s Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore.
Davina McCall has said ‘the secret’s out’ as a new ‘middle-aged’ Love Island TV show has been confirmed for ITV.
The new reality dating show for single mums and dads will be coming to ITV later this year. Previously dubbed the ‘middle-aged Love Island’, the new programme will be called My Mum, Your Dad.
The brand new series will be hosted by Davina McCall, 55, who shared the exciting news with her followers on Instagram, writing: “The secret is finally out!
“A brand-new series, following a group of single parents looking for a second chance at love.
“They’ve been nominated by their grown-up kids, but what they don’t know is that their kids are watching their every move and playing matchmaker (holding cushions over their faces as they watch the shenanigans!).”
She also went on to confirm that the series will be out in the autumn. Host Davina McCall then commented on her own Instagram post, saying: “Thank goodness the secret is finally out! I’ve been bursting to tell!!!
ITV
“I’m so so excited to host My Mum, Your Dad – this show will have you so invested in the people in it.
“Fascinating, vibrant individuals who have lived incredible lives already, with a million life lessons under their belts, as they search for their perfect life partner. But also with the juiciest twist of any show I’ve ever worked on.”
After hearing her plea for the show on his podcast, Steven Bartlett commented: “She manifested this into existence.”
@davinamccall / Instagram
The much-loved TV presenter told Dragons Den’s Steven Bartlett on his Diary Of A CEO podcast that she was ‘literally begging’ the broadcaster to let her present a ‘midlife Love Island’.
Earlier this year the former Big Brother presenter told followers she and ITV bosses were looking for ‘people who have lived a life, who have been through experiences; bad, moving, hard. They’ve got luggage! But they deserve love!’
The upcoming reality dating show will see a group of over-35 single parents, who are looking for love, placed together in a country house. Little do they know, their children will be watching on from a secret nearby location as they get to decide who their parent will be matched with for their first date.
Amanda Holden looks set to ‘take over from the late Paul O’Grady’ on ITV’s For the Love of Dogs, according to reports.
The 52-year-old Britain’s Got Talent judge is said to be the ‘natural choice’ to take the place of the late comedian — known for his love of animals — on his beloved Battersea Dogs Home series.
The national treasure and TV presenter, who performed for years as both himself as his drag alter-ego Lily Savage, died ‘unexpectedly’ but peacefully’ at his Kent home in March, at the age of 67.
An advocate for the welfare of dogs, O’Grady began presenting the series in 2012, based out of the dogs and cats care facility in London.
@noholdenback / Instagram
It’s beginning to look as though his friend and fellow TV presenter Amanda Holden will take hold of the reins of the much-loved series, which is in its 11th, and potentially, final season.
Talking to The Sun, a source said: “Executives just feel like it’s too soon to make firm plans about the series, as it’s barely been two months since he died.”
However, they added: “But the feeling at the home is that [Amanda as host] what Paul would have wanted. He cared deeply about the animals in Battersea.
@noholdenback / Instagram
“Amanda is the natural choice to take over the job, not just because she’s a seasoned presenter but because she also cares about the home.” Amanda is also an ambassador at the Battersea Dogs & Cats home, just as Paul was.
The latest episodes of the series, which were filmed with O’Grady has host before his ‘peaceful but unexpected’ death, have left viewers feeling emotional. Paul became teary as he saw ‘Freddie’ the dog suffering due to a deep wound that needed careful surgery and stitches.
“Can’t work out if this series is making me cry more because of the specific stories or because Paul is gone. Maybe both,” one viewer posted on Twitter.
Another added: “Oh god, here we go again, more tears for the beautiful pooches & our dear, wonderful irreplaceable Paul. That said, I really hope someone will pick this up & carry on Paul’s truly amazing work with Battersea.”
A Mamma Mia 3 movie is said to be ‘finally in the works’.
It’s good news for Mamma Mia fans as the ABBA-themed sing-along rom-com reportedly has a third in the pipeline.
Fifteen years after the first Mamma Mia was released, and five since Mamma Mia 2, fans will be delighted as their hopes and dreams may finally come true.
A handful of stars from the show have expressed their desire to have a third movie — so perhaps it’s time for Universal Pictures to put their ‘money, money, money’ where their mouth is and get this movie made.
There’s no official confirmation just yet. However, Mamma Mia‘s original production team have spoken out about a potential third film — sounds promising!
The show’s creator confirmed she had a story ready, plus there are still more ABBA songs out there to cover. According to Deadline, Mamma Mia creator, Judy Craymer, has got some fresh ideas to take things forward.
“I don’t want to over-egg it, but I know there’s a trilogy there,” she said. “There is a story there, and I do think Meryl should come back – and if the script is right, she would, I think, because she really loved playing Donna.” Come on, Meryl!
Craymer’s not the only one willing to take a chance on Mamma Mia 3 as movie star Pierce Brosnan told The Kelly Clarkson Show that the cast were ‘talking about it’.
Back in June 2020, Craymer also revealed to the Daily Mail that she had been working on the third instalment for some time. “I think one day there will be another film, because there’s meant to be a trilogy, you see. I know Universal would like me to do it,” she said.
While audiences might be shouting ‘Gimme! Gimme! Gimme!’, it’s still really early days for the film’s production — though Brosnan reckons his co-stars would come back as ‘it was criminal how much fun we had’.
If a third movie does go ahead, that could be it for the Mamma Mia story, as Craymer has previously spoken about a ‘trilogy’. So when the credits roll and the curtains draw, it might be a case of ‘Thank You for the Music’.
That’s all we have for now, so keep your eyes peeled for further updates here.