Harry Potter’s future might not just be destined for the stage after all.
[dropcap size=small]J[/dropcap].K. Rowling’s upcoming stage play Harry Potter and the Cursed Child has had fans all abuzz ever since it was announced.
Given that it will continue Harry’s story and act as the 8th instalment in the series, it’s not at all surprising Potterheads everywhere have latched onto the hope of seeing the play lead to Harry’s return to the big screens.
Recently however, J.K. Rowling seemingly buried our hopes in a tweet to a fan, where she shot down the notion of the Cursed Child becoming a film.
But, as it turns out, news has surfaced which could very well dig that hope back up, and serve to revive the possibility of seeing an 8th film at some point.
Bustle recently reported about an Irish IP Solicitor by the name of Brian Conroy, who uncovered a trademark filed by Warner Bros. for the Cursed Child. The trademark application by the studio specifically lists its use in ‘motion pictures,’ as well as some other merchandise and video games.
As Bustle points out, Rowling is very protective of the rights to her work, so Warner Bros. must have filed for the trademark with her permission and prior knowledge.
The trademark lasts for five years, during which time the title must be made in order for the studio to retain the rights. If nothing is made, anyone else could apply for the trademark after five years has passed.
Rowling is busy working away on the Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them franchise, and since the third film in the planned trilogy is said to be released in 2020, it’s unlikely that we’ll see any glimpse of a Cursed Child movie until then.
Of course, they could very well just be taking out a trademark as a precaution, but it does seem quite likely that some plans are being made for the Cursed Child to go beyond the stage in future.
Daniel Radcliffe has said he’d play Potter again if the right circumstances came along, so it’s not entirely outlandish to assume we could see Harry make a comeback to the world of cinema.
Since the play is set 19 years after Deathly Hallows Part 2’s epilogue, Harry, Ron and Hermione would be a lot older than we’ve ever seen them, so letting some time slip by before any definite plans are made makes sense.
Even though a lot of the reports are just speculation and conjecture at this point, the trademark gives us some hope back that we may very well see an 8th Harry Potter film someday.
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is set to hit London’s Palace Theatre 30 July.
