25 Years Later, Harry Potter Fans Still Want 1 Thing HBO’s Reboot Won’t Give Them Harry and Luna standing in the woods in Harry Potter. The controversy surrounding the new Harry Potter reboot is unavoidable. Author J.K. Rowling’s incendiary views have been public record for years, as is the fact that she uses the proceeds of her IP to fund anti-trans legislation. This occurred even before the wildly divisive adaptation of her children’s series was announced. As disheartening as it is to see something that was once so full of hope and, well, magic, the reboot still struggles to attract the excitement of viewers. HBO recently released the trailer for the upcoming television adaptation, and the response was less than favorable. In a television series that should be aimed towards children, this new footage seemed to indicate that was the last thing on HBO’s mind. The ‘Harry Potter’ Trailer Lacks the Color of the Original Film Franchise Within a few short years of the publication of the Harry Potter books, the film adaptations were fast-tracked. Director Christopher Columbus, known for his cheery and celebratory children’s films, was the obvious choice to take this on. He directed the first two films, which set up the tone and visual style that would be continued for the rest of the franchise. This visual style was bright and joyful, which mirrored the themes of the book. The trailer for the Harry Potter reboot differentiated itself, but not in the way that fans wanted. As with much modern filmmaking, the trailer showed desaturated color grading that made the visuals drab and lifeless. If there was an attempt to make Harry’s life with the Dursleys seem somber in comparison to his time at Hogwarts, then the series has failed. The scenes after Harry leaves the Muggle world are still darkly lit. Many publications took note of this on social media right off the bat. On X , cinesthetic posted a side-by-side comparison of the original Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, which literally cast the television series in an even darker light. Even in scenes where Harry is in the cupboard under the stairs, it is still possible to see Daniel Radcliffe’s expressions. Hogwarts in the new trailer exists in a world of grey that doesn’t exactly inspire confidence, a sentiment that fans agree with. "Honestly I don’t know why they’re going for dark cinematography right off the bat," @krystal_anne88 wrote."I get it if this is already the 5th book but it’s the first one! It’s supposed to be bright because Harry finally got to escape the Dursley’s, have friends & found home in Hogwarts! He is HAPPY!" This is regrettably familiar to many cinema fans who have noted the lack of color grading in modern filmmaking. Prestige Television Has Taken the Magic Away From ‘Harry Potter’ Harry Potter isn’t alone in this recent color grading fiasco. Especially in prestige television, many series have been accused of low color saturation. House of the Dragon was infamous for this, particularly in Season 1 during the episode “Driftmark.” Scenes with Rhaenyra Targaryen and the Rogue Prince Daemon were brightly lit in production photos, but when the show aired, it was dark. It turned out, House of the Dragon had filmed the scenes day for night, making many fans complain about the lighting. Subscribe to our newsletter for Harry Potter and industry coverage Curious for more perspective on the reboot's visuals, controversies, and what they mean for modern adaptations? Subscribing to our newsletter gives thoughtful analysis and broader coverage of these topics and industry trends. Get Updates By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime. While this has been a common criticism in recent years, the lack of color in Harry Potter hits especially hard. The story is about a child discovering there is real magic in the world, and his adventures are whimsical and fun. HBO could replicate scenes from the Harry Potter books, but cinema is a visual medium. It won’t reflect what the story is actually about if it doesn’t have eye-popping visuals that should cater to children. Fans remember the films fondly for the bright holiday scenes and the scarlet steam engine, the Hogwarts Express. The comparison between the films and the new series makes today’s filmmaking standards especially disappointing. There is time for darkness later, and Harry gets more than enough of it. A faithful adaptation of this story should epitomize the joys that many children feel, especially when they are spirited away to a school of magic. Harry Potter has a tough road ahead with all the controversy surrounding it, but compared with the perfectly serviceable adaptation released two decades ago, this new venture seems particularly lifeless. Harry Potter Like Follow Followed Adventure Family Fantasy Release Date 2026 - 2026 Showrunner Francisca Gardiner Directors Mark Mylod Cast See All