[imagesource: Dave M. Benett / Getty Images]

The wishing spells done by Harry Potter fans all over the world have paid off, as the original Hogwarts wizarding trio is about to be reunited.

That’s right, Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, and Rupert Grint will be talking all things Wizard World in an upcoming HBO Max reunion special titled Harry Potter 20th Anniversary: Return to Hogwarts.

The Hogwarts version of the super-successful Friends reunion is set to celebrate the upcoming 20th anniversary of the first movie Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone.

The feature will “tell an enchanting making-of story through all-new, in-depth interviews and cast conversations,” per HBO Max.

We can also expect to see the faces of many other HP alumni, including Helena Bonham Carter (Bellatrix Lestrange), Robbie Coltrane (Hagrid), Ralph Fiennes (Voldemort), Jason Isaacs (Lucius Malfoy), Gary Oldman (Sirius), Imelda Staunton (Dolores Umbridge), Tom Felton (Draco Malfoy), James Phelps (Fred Weasley), Oliver Phelps (George Weasley), Mark Williams (Arthur Weasley), Bonnie Wright (Ginny Weasley), Alfred Enoch (Dean Thomas), Matthew Lewis (Neville Longbottom), Evanna Lynch (Luna Lovegood), and Ian Hart (Quirinus Quirrell).

They will all be joined by filmmaker Chris Columbus, although, interestingly, it looks like J.K. Rowling will be sitting this one out.

Variety has more:

“It has been an incredible journey since the debut of the Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone film, and witnessing how it has evolved into this remarkable interconnected universe has been magical to say the least,” Tom Ascheim, president of Warner Bros. Global Kids, Young Adults and Classics, said in a statement.

“This retrospective is a tribute to everyone whose lives were touched by this cultural phenomenon — from the talented cast and crew who poured their heart and soul into this extraordinary film franchise to the passionate fans who continue to keep the Wizarding World spirit alive 20 years later.”

Bring on the magic:

The long wait will have to be extended for a tad longer as the special will premiere on HBO Max on New Year’s Day, and again later in 2022 ahead of the Warner Bros. Pictures theatrical debut of Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore.

HBO Max is also making a Harry Potter quiz show in another bid to have some content tied to the Wizarding World on the platform.

If what the Friends cast was paid is anything to go by, you can imagine this will be a nice little bonus for all our favourite wizards and witches.

[source:variety]