Columbus says Cursed Child film unlikely amid Rowling row

Chris Columbus, the director of the first two Harry Potter films, said a film adaptation of the stage play Harry Potter and the Cursed Child starring the original cast will not happen, citing deep divisions over author J.K. Rowling's public stance on transgender issues. In an interview with The Times published this week, Columbus said the idea of reuniting Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson and Rupert Grint is "never going to happen" because "it’s gotten so complicated with all the political stuff," and "everyone in the cast has their own opinion, which is different from her opinion, which makes it impossible."

Columbus, who has previously expressed interest in adapting the 2016 stage production that follows Harry Potter's son nearly two decades after the original books, said he has not spoken to Rowling in about a decade but remains close to the film actors. "I keep very close contact with Daniel Radcliffe and I just spoke to him a few days ago," he said. "I still have a great relationship with all the kids in the cast."

Rowling’s comments on transgender issues have drawn widespread criticism and prompted public statements of support for the trans community from several of the...