David Zaslav, CEO of Warner Bros. Discovery, is eager to capitalize on the company’s brands, which might include producing additional Harry Potter movies if an agreement can be reached with author J.K. Rowling.
During a Thursday investor call, Zaslav stated, “We’re going to focus on franchises.” “It has been 13 years since the last Superman movie. We haven’t produced a Harry Potter film in fifteen years. Over the past 25 years, a large portion of Warner Bros’ income has come from the DC and Harry Potter films.
At an investor conference, Zaslav hinted at the prospect of more Potter, and the setting suggested it wasn’t just wishful thinking.
Between 2001 and 2011, Warner Bros. released eight Harry Potter movies, which together brought in $7.7 billion worldwide. It collaborated with Rowling on the Fantastic Beasts series, which has seen declining movie office success. Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore, the most current episode, made $405.1 million worldwide since its April release. The studio’s decision to proceed with the two films it has in mind to complete its five-picture arc is still up in the air.
Since the publication of Harry Potter, Rowling has gained notoriety and been accused of transphobia. In response to Rowling’s tweets and remarks, celebrities including Daniel Radcliffe have shown their support for the trans community.
Following occurrences that fans perceived as indications of conflict between Warners and the author—instances that both parties have denied—Zaslav made a friendly approach to Rowling. She was absent from the most recent HBO reunion program (she later said she was invited but declined). Her name was almost absent from the first Secrets of Dumbledore teaser earlier. In response to rumours of tension, the studio issued the following statement: “For 20 years, Warner Bros., J.K. Rowling, and her crew have worked together to amaze fans around the world with extraordinary storytelling and the wonder of the Wizarding World.”
