There are hard-to-ignore similarities between the Harry Potter movies and HBO's upcoming TV series. While many characters and subplots were missing from the big-screen adaptation of J.K. Rowling's novels, the movies were loyal to the books, and the show can only go so far in putting its own spin on key locations and imagery.
We've already seen how several of the wands will differ in this December's Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone. Still, while the "Harry Potter" logo for each version is fairly similar, one iconic element from the movies is now confirmed to be missing from the series: its score.
John Williams' Harry Potter theme—titled "Hedwig's Theme"—is every bit as recognisable as his work on Star Wars, Indiana Jones, and Superman. Those franchises still use his work or pay homage to it, but prolific composer Hans Zimmer has confirmed the new Harry Potter theme will have nothing in common with what's come before.
Talking to Collider (via SFFGazette.com), Zimmer explained, "I can't write like John Williams, but even if I could, I would try to stay away as far as possible and try to be original."
He went on to liken the situation to the one he found himself in when he was tasked with scoring 2013's Man of Steel for Zack Snyder. The previous movie, Superman Returns, had acted as a loose sequel to the original movies starring Christopher Reeve and used Williams' score throughout.
"When I was doing Man of Steel, which, of course, is Superman, for three months I was running around going, 'I don’t know. I can’t do this. I can’t do this because it’s John Williams. John Williams is — it’s brilliant! It’s brilliant!' And Zack Snyder and Chris — Chris Nolan actually was the producer — and Chris said to Zack, 'Have you heard anything from Hans yet?' He said, 'No,' and he says, 'You’re not going to hear anything unless you go down there.' And Zack phoned me and said, 'Can I come down?' I go, 'I don’t really have anything,' and he goes, 'Well, I’ll be there on Tuesday.' So I came up with a tune, but I still was incredibly worried about it."
"Zack just said the simplest thing to me. He said, 'Hans, it was just a movie. This is just a movie.' And that was so liberating. It’s just a movie, and my life is all about making music for movies, which I do because I love it."
Beyond the costumes, cast, and special effects, the Harry Potter TV series must distinguish itself from the movies, and a new theme will be key. Now, the pressure is on Zimmer to dream up something equally as iconic, something he arguably achieved for Henry Cavill's Superman.
The main cast of Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone includes Dominic McLaughlin as Harry Potter, Arabella Stanton as Hermione Granger, Alastair Stout as Ron Weasley, John Lithgow as Albus Dumbledore, Janet McTeer as Minerva McGonagall, Paapa Essiedu as Severus Snape, Nick Frost as Rubeus Hagrid, Rory Wilmot as Neville Longbottom, and Lox Pratt as Draco Malfoy.
The series, based on J.K. Rowling’s beloved books, is written and executive-produced by Francesca Gardiner. Mark Mylod will executive-produce and direct multiple episodes of the series for HBO in association with Brontë Film and TV and Warner Bros. Television. The series is executive-produced by J.K. Rowling, Neil Blair, and Ruth Kenley-Letts of Brontë Film and TV, and David Heyman of Heyday Films.
Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone premieres on HBO Max this Christmas.