Per Columbus, just getting the chance to retell the story in more detail is a “fantastic” prospect. The famous director of other great films like Home Alone and Stepmom explained why, telling People the idea of a longform narrative is really exciting.

Casting rumors for the Harry Potter TV reboot have been heating up over the past few months, with plenty of names for Snape and Dumbledore in the mix. The franchise's main villain is now getting some of the limelight with one name consistently being linked with the big bad: Cillian Murphy.

Original “Harry Potter” director Chris Columbus said in an interview with People magazine that remaking J.K. Rowling’s iconic book series as a television series for HBO is “a spectacular idea because there’s a certain restriction when you’re making a film.

All the news on HBO's streaming 'Harry Potter' TV series, including cast, release date, how to watch, development and whether J.K. Rowling will be involved.

Original Harry Potter director Chris Columbus has called the incoming HBO reboot series a "spectacular idea" as it has the potential to better recreate the books. Speaking to People, Columbus said he was restricted by the relatively short runtimes of films when directing Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone and Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets.