The development of HBO’s highly anticipated Harry Potter series has been causing quite a stir, raising questions about its story, casting choices, and keen attention to detail. The Harry Potter series will be a remake of the original eight Wizarding World films, with each season reportedly following its respective book in chronological order. This adaptation from movie to TV series will inevitably slow the storytelling to a leisurely pace, allowing for a more in-depth look at the epic fantasy series.
HBO’s Harry Potter series provides a perfect opportunity to expand on stories, settings, and characters that didn’t make the cut in the Wizarding World films, with one character in particular receiving a cosign by a former Harry Potter director.
Director Chris Columbus wants a pesky poltergeist in the Harry Potter series
During a recent red carpet interview, director Chris Columbus confessed that he missed the opportunity to bring the character of Peeves to life on the silver screen, something he hopes the Harry Potter TV series will expand on.
The Sorcerer’s Stone director says that although the pesky poltergeist was featured in a few sequences (played by the late great Rik Mayall), they didn’t have time to “render Peeves in a CGI way,” so his character never made it into the films.
Who is Peeves in Harry Potter?
Readers will remember Peeves as the mischievous poltergeist that haunted the halls of Hogwarts. In the books, Peeves was a common recurring character whose involvement helped shape major events, including the persecution of Professor Dolores Umbridge and the Battle of Hogwarts. Peeves contributed a hilarious blend of chaos and mayhem throughout the Harry Potter franchise, making him a nuisance to groundskeeper Argus Filch and an ally to young wizards like Fred and George Weasley.
Since he’s been pestering the halls of Hogwarts since its inception (author JK Rowling says that he was manifested from the students themselves), one could argue that Peeves is synonymous with the wizarding school’s legacy, making him just as important a side character as Moaning Myrtle and Nearly Headless Nick (two ghosts who were featured in the Harry Potter films.)
Seeing as the films chose to leave Peeves out entirely, HBO's Harry Potter series could right this wrong by finally giving Peeves the screen time he deserves. Not only would the character be a great source of comic relief, providing a break in tension from Harry Potter’s heavy themes, but it would add a fun dynamic to the halls of Hogwarts as we watch some of our favorite professors fall victim to Peeves’ infamous pranks.
So far, the Harry Potter series has cast most of its major characters, with the Weasleys being the latest to be announced. Whether director Chris Columbus will get his wish to see Peeves brought to life has yet to be determined, but as casting news continues to roll out, the possibility of him materializing on screen continues to linger in the air.