Might as well talk about the HBO Harry Potter reboot. The trailer just came out. Let’s do that. I’ll post the trailer and we can all watch, then I’ll throw in my 2 cents. I’m pretty sure you’ll agree that Snape is probably the only interesting thing about this new Harry Potter show for HBO.

Now we can begin. As a writer/producer on few TV projects I will say this: I never blame the actors. They are just people who want to make a living. If there’s a problem? It’s the writers or producers or the studio. Tada! That’s it.

There is nothing to be excited about in this seemingly shot for shot remake of Harry Potter and the Philosophers Stone. Having a black dude play Snape is the only way this trailer or project gets any big-time press. The rest of the casting seems… fine. The sets look fine… Same with the rest of it. The whole trailer made me want to watch the original movies again, frankly. This trailer just kind of happened and I watched. Meh.

But what can you really do with Harry Potter? You have to be faithful to the books. That’s your only hope. So, of course this new show looks like the movies. It is what it is. The only bit that’s even close to interesting is Black Snape. Again: Meh. I’m sure that Paapa Essiedu is fine actor. It feels like he’s being used though. That wouldn’t be cool. Did HBO take this liberty with the casting just to get press? That would be sad to say the least.

All of the other casting choices seemed very safe. No one is jumping off the screen. The HBO Harry Potter series is lacking magic so far. The only interesting thing in this trailer is Snape. The show premieres this Christmas.

PS. I’d like to call dibs on the name “Black Snape”. That’s a great name for a band. Just saying.

Now, let’s see how the internet reacted.

Just look at this and you’ll see what I’m saying.

Snape is described in the book. Loads of people are bringing that up.

Here’s a crazy question: Will viewers at some point be able to use AI to cast their own versions of shows and movies? It could legit happen!

And there’s this to contend with. LOL!