Harry Potter Prequel Play in Development — See J.K. Rowling’s Announcement

Truth rating: 10

1:25 pm, December 20th, 2013

(Warner Bros.)

(Warner Bros.)

Get ready for more Harry Potter — on stage.

J.K. Rowling confirmed on Friday that she is co-producing a play about the boy wizard’s pre-Hogwarts years, examining, “What was it like to be the boy in the cupboard under the stairs?”

The production promises to ”explore the previously untold story of Harry’s early years as an orphan and outcast,” offering ”a unique insight into the heart and mind of the now legendary young wizard.”

Some “favorite characters” from the book and movie franchise will be included, but plot details are being kept under wrap.

Rowling will collaborate with a yet-to-be selected writer for the script, with award-winning producers Sonia Friedman and Colin Callender spearheading the project.

“Over the years I have received countless approaches about turning Harry Potter into a theatrical production, but Sonia and Colin’s vision was the only one that really made sense to me, and which had the sensitivity, intensity and intimacy I thought appropriate for bringing Harry’s story to the stage,” says Rowling.

The author goes on, “After a year in gestation it is exciting to see this project moving on to the next phase. I’d like to thank Warner Bros. for their continuing support in this project.”

The news comes three months after Rowling announced she’s developing Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, a movie version of her “textbook” covering the magical Potter universe.

What do you think of Rowling developing a Harry Potter play?

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Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them Movie Being Written by J.K. Rowling

Truth rating: 10

3:38 pm, September 12th, 2013

(Getty Images)

J.K. Rowling will write the screenplay for Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, a movie version of her “textbook” covering the magical universe Harry Potter inhabits.

Warner Bros. announced the news on Thursday.

The film, expected to be the first in a series, will focus on Newt Scamander — the “author” of the book.

In a statement, Rowling said that the story would begin in New York about 70 years before the Harry Potter narrative begins.

It’s described as “neither a prequel nor a sequel to the Harry Potter series, but an extension of the wizarding world.”

“Having lived for so long in my fictional universe, I feel very protective of it,” explains Rowling. “I already knew a lot about Newt.”

She said, ”As I considered Warner’s proposal, an idea took shape that I couldn’t dislodge. That is how I ended up pitching my own idea for a film.”

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Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them Movie Being Written by J.K. Rowling

Truth rating: 10

3:38 pm, September 12th, 2013

(Getty Images)

J.K. Rowling will write the screenplay for Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, a movie version of her “textbook” covering the magical universe Harry Potter inhabits.

Warner Bros. announced the news on Thursday.

The film, expected to be the first in a series, will focus on Newt Scamander — the “author” of the book.

In a statement, Rowling said that the story would begin in New York about 70 years before the Harry Potter narrative begins.

It’s described as “neither a prequel nor a sequel to the Harry Potter series, but an extension of the wizarding world.”

“Having lived for so long in my fictional universe, I feel very protective of it,” explains Rowling. “I already knew a lot about Newt.”

She said, ”As I considered Warner’s proposal, an idea took shape that I couldn’t dislodge. That is how I ended up pitching my own idea for a film.”

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