It's important to remember the ongoing controversial statements by the creator of the Harry Potter franchise. CBR supports the hard work of industry professionals on properties fans know and love, and the wider world of Harry Potter that fans have adopted as their own. You can find CBR's continuing coverage on J.K. Rowling here.
With stories of magic, adventure and infinite possibilities, the Harry Potter series might've seemed at home within Disney; however, the company missing out on the Wizarding World saved the franchise. It's hard to find anybody who hasn't heard of Harry Potter and how, from humble beginnings, the books gave way to one of the most beloved series ever. Now able to rival the works of Lucasfilm and Marvel and argue just as much cultural impact, things could’ve been very different if Disney hadn't lost the opportunity to adopt the Wizarding World.
Initially published in 1997, Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (or Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone as it was also known) enchanted the world and began a multimedia sensation. Now consisting of multiple Harry Potter movies, books and theme park attractions, there's no denying that the series' success is almost unparalleled. But just coming off the massive achievement of the video game Hogwarts Legacy and the announcement of an upcoming remake on the Max streaming service, it's important to look back as "The Boy Who Lived" lives on as the Wizarding World continues to expand in new and exciting directions.
Why Disney's Harry Potter Wouldn't Have Worked
One of the noted franchises associated with the Warner Bros., Universal and Scholastic brands, Disney once had the opportunity to get behind one of the most popular selling series in history. After the head of Disney's children's publishing division, Lisa Holton, dismissed Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, it became a decision that'd haunt the company more than any ghost wandering the halls of Hogwarts. Although Disney would try to correct this mistake by trying to buy the movie rights, theme park privileges and even Scholastic themselves, efforts by the company ultimately failed, citing creative clashes with Harry Potter's controversial creator J.K. Rowling, along with the deals made with Warner Bros. Pictures. However, Disney missing out was a blessing for the Harry Potter series, and it's clear from the past mismanagement of other adopted franchises.
Since acquiring Star Wars and Marvel, Disney has had a mixed track record. Disney's franchises have encountered problems in recent years, with an oversaturation of divisive content resulting in numerous projects getting canceled, delayed or left in limbo. Disney has also faced challenges in its theme parks, with experiences like the Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser hotel struggling to attract a steady influx of guests. In contrast, Warner Bros. has successfully produced the Harry Potter films, maintained its brand quality, and even knew when to reboot after the Fantastic Beasts movies began to decline. Moreover, unlike Disney, who supposedly saw Rowling storm out of their offices, Warner Bros. and Universal were willing to work with her demands, giving her world authenticity and room to grow, which ultimately cemented a worldwide success for the Harry Potter franchise. Based on past trends, it's evident Disney wasn't willing to provide the creative input necessary to maintain the quality of the Harry Potter franchise. If Disney had the Harry Potter series, the Wizarding World likely would've overstayed its welcome and perhaps lost its magic in the long run.
Disney Might've Learned a Lesson From Losing Harry Potter
Above all else, where Disney failed was its inability to see the potential of Harry Potter. From the beginning and Holton's rejection, the spiking sales and positive reviews should've indicated that the book, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, was spellbinding to many readers, with all the makings of timeless modern mythology. Although, it wasn't until Harry Potter's many successes did Disney try to bid for it back and finally saw this idea was a lot bigger than the company gave it credit for. With Star Wars and Marvel starting to scale back, along with their Percy Jackson and the Olympians remake going into production, perhaps Harry Potter's continuing legacy was a lesson learned and a step in the right direction for Disney to redeem its chaotic content output.
Sometimes, the biggest things can grow from the most unexpected of places. However, when a story about a young wizard landed on Disney's publishers' desks, no one realized its potential and the care it would require to blossom. The Wizarding World was always more than books, movies or theme park attractions. The magic of the Harry Potter series came from an entire world people wanted to be a part of and a story they could embrace together.