HBO’s ‘Harry Potter’ is coming along a bit slower than it was anticipated, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s in trouble. A new report claims that the shooting has been postponed as the creative team is still working on the scripts. The newspaper characterized the situation as “chaos,” but the script changes and time changes are not uncommon for a big television show.
Script Changes Could Actually Be A Good Thing
The reported delay could also explain one of the biggest recent casting changes surrounding the series. Nicholas Hoult, who was originally set to play Professor Quirinus Quirrell, reportedly departed the project after the filming schedule shifted and created a conflict with his other commitments.
Related: 10 Actors Who Almost Starred In The ‘Harry Potter’ Franchise
Of course, fans are understandably upset when they hear scripts are delayed. But more time spent on the scripts doesn’t always mean more trouble. With this adaptation, HBO is trying to do something massive; seven books are being adapted into a long-running TV series, with each season focusing on a different book of J.K. Rowling’s tale.
This leaves the writers with many moving parts to balance. Characters must be introduced at the proper time, story lines must be expanded for television, and the series must develop a consistent tone that can carry over for several seasons. Maybe a bit more time in the writing room will help the show in the end.
HBO Still Has A Reason To Move Quickly
Casting for the second season is reportedly nearing completion, leaving only a handful of roles to be finalized. Production is scheduled to begin by the end of September or early October if on schedule. There’s also a business imperative that HBO can’t afford to let production get too far ahead.
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Harry, Ron, and Hermione are real-time young actors. They can’t just stay the same age while the studio waits years for the next season, as the adults do. This is why it is important to schedule this adaptation.
The reported delay is more of a production adjustment than a disaster, for now. The longer it takes HBO to get the scripts right before the cameras roll, the better that could be for the series in the long run. After all, with ‘Harry Potter’, getting the magic right matters more than getting there a few weeks early.
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