Chris Columbus, the director of the first two Harry Potter films, has dashed the hopes of many fans who dreamed of seeing the original cast reunite for a film adaptation of the stage play, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. In a recent interview, Columbus stated definitively that such a reunion is "never going to happen". He attributed this impossibility to the complex political issues surrounding J.K. Rowling's controversial views on transgender people and the differing opinions held by the cast.

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child picks up the story nearly two decades after the events of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, focusing on Harry's son, Albus Severus Potter, and his struggles at Hogwarts. The play has been a massive success, leading to widespread speculation and hope for a film adaptation featuring Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, and Rupert Grint reprising their iconic roles. Columbus himself had previously expressed enthusiasm for the idea, calling it a "spectacular idea".

However, the landscape has shifted dramatically in recent years. J.K. Rowling's views on transgender issues have drawn widespread criticism and condemnation. Many, including LGBTQ+ activists and allies, have labeled her statements as transphobic. This has led to a significant backlash against Rowling, with several Harry Potter actors, including Radcliffe and Watson, publicly distancing themselves from her and voicing their support for the trans community.

Columbus acknowledged the complexity of the situation, stating that "Everyone in the cast has their own opinion, which is different from her opinion, which makes it impossible". He also revealed that he has not spoken to Rowling in about a decade. Despite this, he maintains close contact with the cast, mentioning that he had spoken with Daniel Radcliffe just a few days prior to the interview. He emphasized that he still has a great relationship with all the actors who grew up in the franchise.

The controversy surrounding Rowling's views has cast a shadow over the Harry Potter franchise. Emma Watson shared a statement supporting the trans community, affirming that "Trans people are who they say they are and deserve to live their lives without being constantly questioned". Daniel Radcliffe has also stated that he wasn't interested in returning to the world of Harry Potter with The Cursed Child or anything else in the foreseeable future. He expressed contentment with his current position and suggested that going back would be a massive change to his life.

Furthermore, Columbus expressed his reservations about the upcoming HBO series reboot of the original Harry Potter books. He described it as "more of the same" and admitted that it's hard to picture anyone else taking on the roles previously portrayed by actors like Alan Rickman, Maggie Smith, and Robbie Coltrane.

While Columbus separates the artist from the art, he disagrees with Rowling's stance, calling it "very sad". Pedro Pascal also weighed in, calling Rowling's actions "Awful disgusting SHIT". Pascal's stance is deeply personal as his sister, Lux Pascal, is a transgender actor and activist.

Ultimately, Chris Columbus's statement confirms the unlikelihood of a Cursed Child film with the original cast, leaving many fans disappointed. The combination of political complications, differing opinions, and the actors' own reservations appears to have created an insurmountable barrier.