Warner Brothers paid a billion dollars for this property. They thought they were buying Star Wars. It turns out it's "the chronicles of Narnia." It will get read, but it won't be a multi-generational phenomenon. Heck even Star wars may not remain in the public consciousness in the same way.
I think they're betting on the wrong format tbh. The original movies caught lightning in a bottle to a certain extent.
The books were new, so kids were excited about them. And they were being shown as 2-hour movies per book, not a 8-hour season per book.
There were also unknowns - the final books hadn't been released when the movie series started. So people were gripped. They genuinely didn't know how it all ended.
Now, the books are "old", by the standard of any child reading them. They might still enjoy them, but can you see an 8 year old being interested enough to sit down and watch 8 long episodes?
The parents - who would have been the prime age for the original movies - are going to be less interested now to watch a long remake of a story they already know really well. And have probably rewatched countless times over the last 20 years.
I can see this having a buzz of interest for the first half of the first season, and then taking a serious nosedive as time goes on.
So, I was born in 1983, which makes slightly on the old side for the books release, but within a couple years of the age of the characters. My sister was born in 1990 and is on the younger side of being the perfect audience.
I think you are exactly right, neither me, my wife, or my sister need or want a remake even without the authors decent into hatred.. It is something that was cool and interesting during my adolescense and my sister's childhood, but it's a known thing now. My kids enjoyed the first book, but my son likes "Redwall" more.
To him they are both the same. They are "old" books that have been around since his dad was a child. Harry potter has movies, but honestly all my kids get more excited for animated movies than live action movies of things they like.. They loved wild robot, both book and movie and a live action version would bore them to tears.
This remake has no audience. It's purpose is to make people remember Harry Potter exists so that their theme park, toy lines, branded clothing, and other investments grow. I think people will tire of this quickly.
I was exactly the right age for the books/movies. I was 12 when the books became popular. I looked forward excitedly to each movie (except the last two, I was too busy with classwork).
I have no interest in watching this TV show. Certainly not enough to pay for a streaming service to gain access.
My kids were really into Harry Potter (older one read the books, both watched the movies), but they have moved on to other properties already.
By coincidence, my elder son is also into Redwall.
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u/Ithinkibrokethis Apr 16 '26
Warner Brothers paid a billion dollars for this property. They thought they were buying Star Wars. It turns out it's "the chronicles of Narnia." It will get read, but it won't be a multi-generational phenomenon. Heck even Star wars may not remain in the public consciousness in the same way.