Per Columbus, just getting the chance to retell the story in more detail is a “fantastic” prospect. The famous director of other great films like Home Alone and Stepmom explained why, telling People the idea of a longform narrative is really exciting.

Now that the Harry Potter franchise will be rebooted in the form of an HBO series airing on Max, rumors are flying around about who will play the iconic characters. Among the many rumors is Oppenheimer star Cillian Murphy could take on the the villainous Lord Voldemort.

The director of the first two entries in the film franchise thinks this Irish star would be an "amazing" Dark Lord.

Original Harry Potter helmer Chris Columbus is praising HBO’s forthcoming television reboot, calling it a “spectacular idea” that will allow for the exploration of previously uncharted Hogwarts hallways.

The filmmaker, 66, spoke with PEOPLE exclusively at the Los Angeles premiere of Nosferatu, where he reacted to the news that Harry Potter is being adapted into a television series for HBO, following a successful string of films — two of which Columbus directed.

Chris Columbus, the director who set the tone for the Harry Potter film franchise with Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone and Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, has given a glowing endorsement to HBO’s upcoming Harry Potter television adaptation.

Harry Potter' filmmaker Chris Columbus has opened up on how the HBO reboot series can achieve things the movies couldn't.

Chris Columbus supports a Harry Potter TV series for better capturing book details. The series will offer a more comprehensive exploration of characters and plots. Cillian Murphy's potential casting as Voldemort receives Columbus's approval.