Author JK Rowling’s attendance at the 20th-anniversary show was widely speculated by all ahead of its release. In 2020 Rowling faced backlash from the Harry Potter community after she openly spoke about transgender issues due to her personal experiences with domestic abuse. After the release of the HBO Max special on Saturday morning, Rowling is reportedly referenced just 10 times in the one hour and 42 minutes special, despite being the creator of the entire franchise.
The Harry Potter reunion, Return To Hogwarts, hit screens on Saturday morning after being highly anticipated by eager fans.
The reunion sees some of the actors from the eight films rejoin and reminisce about their experiences during their time in the franchise, 20 years later.
Harry Potter: Return To Hogwarts was created to honour the franchise’s 20th anniversary and sees main characters Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, Rupert Grint, and director Chris Columbus discuss the films.
The magical event will also feature actors Helena Bonham Carter, Robbie Coltrane, Ralph Fiennes, Gary Oldman, Imelda Staunton, Tom Felton, James Phelps, Oliver Phelps, Mark Williams, Bonnie Wright, Alfred Enoch, Matthew Lewis, Evanna Lynch, and many more.
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In the interview, she is seen discussing the struggle she and the casting crew faced trying to find the perfect actor to play Harry in the first film, Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone.
Chris also mentioned the fact Rowling had to create a Quidditch rule book for everyone as they struggled to understand the wizarding rules.
Evanna Lynch, who played Luna Lovegood, revealed how she was in touch with Rowling before she got the part and described them as pen pals.
“I was writing to JK Rowling from when I was about 11 to say thank you for the books, and she was responding to me. I’m one of the few lucky people who can say I had her as a pen friend.”