The company is hoping the series can be one cornerstone of a
new streaming strategy that will be announced next week by HBO's parent, Warner
Bros. That company's chief executive officer, David Zaslav, and HBO chief Casey
Bloys have worked to convince Rowling to produce a new series, but the deal
hasn't been completed.
The series would allow the writers to delve further into the
world of Rowling's books, many of which are longer than 500 pages. Warner
Bros., part of the same media giant as HBO, previously turned each of the seven
books into a hit movie, culminating in a two-part movie based on the final
instalment.
Warner Bros. has been eager to do more with one of the
best-selling book series of all time. While Rowling blessed a stage play
adaptation and a theme-park attraction, she had yet to sign off on new movies
or a TV show.
A spokesman for Warner Bros. declined to comment.
The author will be involved in the series to ensure it
remains loyal to her original material but will not run the show day to day or
serve as its primary creator, the people said. She has at times generated
controversy with remarks about the trans community.
Warner Bros. is preparing to announce a new streaming
strategy, including the name Max for its flagship online service, which debuted
as HBO Max. Key to that strategy will be having new content, especially films
and TV shows based on stories and characters that viewers already know.
Warner Bros. has a deep library of programs that fit the
bill, including Rowling's Wizarding World, the Lord of the Rings material, and
a league of superheroes that includes Batman, Superman, and Wonder Woman.
The books tell the story of a young wizard whose parents
were slain when he was an infant and is then raised by his non-magical aunt and
uncle. He discovers he is a wizard and is invited to attend Hogwarts, the
world's leading school for wizards.
The Potter brand has spawned a series of successful products
and spinoffs. Working with Salt Lake City-based Avalanche Software, Warner
Bros. in February published the highly anticipated Hogwarts Legacy, a
role-playing game based on the Potter world.
The series has also spawned a stage production, Harry Potter
and the Cursed Child.
But it's the books themselves and the seven films that have
had the largest impact. According to the US publisher Scholastic, the book
series has sold 600 million copies in 85 languages over 25 years, becoming an
all-time bestseller.
The eight films based on the series generated worldwide
ticket sales of more than $7.7 billion, according to Box Office Mojo. © Bloomberg
LP