Chris Columbus wants to bring the full‑length wizarding adventure back— and he’ll add Peeves back in!
Why the 63‑Year‑Old Director is After the Full Three‑Hour Cut
Christopher Columbus, the mastermind behind the first Harry Potter film (and the sequel The Chamber of Secrets), says he’d love for fans to finally see the original 3‑hour version. Worse—he wants Peeves the poltergeist back on screen. The beloved pratfalling eccentric was cast in the early cut but then cut from the final release by Warner Bros.
- Chicago preview: 3‑hour cut, parents complained it was too long, kids figured 3 hours is “too short” for a wizarding adventure.
- Warner Bros. decided to trim almost 30 minutes—basically letting Peeves and a few other scenes slip into the abyss.
- Columbus keeps saying, “Peeves was cut! We should bring him back!”
What the Audience Really Wants to Know
Fans have been asking for a version that truly rocks: a full-length film, complete with Peeves, featuring the original look at the magical world. Even after the Chicago screening, the 18‑year‑old hype around the full cut was so strong, it started to feel like a film fan’s dream.
Columbus Talks Cursed Child— a Potential Pair of Sequel Gold?
When asked about future projects, Columbus clipped a sentence that made movie buffs chuckle: “A version of Cursed Child with Dan, Rupert, and Emma at the right age would be cinematic bliss.” He playfully compared the idea to the Star Wars revival, calling it a “movie nerd’s dream.” The director says re‑uniting the iconic trio— the main Harry‑Potter cast— “would be an absolutely amazing experience.”
Curious Highlights
- Columbus has already produced The Prisoner of Azkaban.
- He insists it would be “so fun to make that film—or two.”
- On Jan 1, 2022, Columbus, Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, and Emma Watson get back to Hogwarts for HBO Max’s 20th Anniversary special.
Will the full film ever see the light of day? Only time will tell. But if anyone can make a return to Hogwarts feel fresh and irresistible, it’s Christopher Columbus— especially if he can resurrect Peeves along the way.
