ROTTEN TOMATOES: Chris Columbus Returning to Direct Another "Potter"?

Chris Columbus Returning to Direct Another "Potter"?

by Scott Weinberg | October 18, 2006

There's never a shortage of Potter-related news, is there? The latest tidbit comes from young actor Rupert Grint, who either dropped a mild surprise -- or has no idea what he's talking about. It seems that Chris Columbus might be coming back to helm his third "Harry Potter" flick.

From a video interview at JewReview.net: "Then, we got to talking about The Order of the Phoenix. He told us about how the Weasley’s are much more involved in this film. And he even mentioned the return of Chris Columbus as director to the series for the 6th and 7th film."

Click here for the interview. And just as a handy-dandy reminder, Chris Columbus directed "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone" and "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets." Alfonso Cuaron directed "Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban," and Mike Newell helmed "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire." David Yates is the one at the controls for the upcoming "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix," which hits the cinemas on July 13th, 2007.

Related Items

Celeb:	Rupert Grint
	Alfonso Cuaron
	David Yates
	Mike Newell
	Chris Columbus
Movie:	Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
	Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
	Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
	Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
	Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone

(1-20 of 56 posts) | Reply

bhairav writes:
on Oct 18 2006 06:12 AM

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

SCREW CHRIS COLUMBUS!!!!!!

HE ISN"T EVEN BRITISH!!!!!!!

(Reply to this)

badmoviecritic writes:
on Oct 18 2006 06:29 AM

bhairav said:

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

SCREW CHRIS COLUMBUS!!!!!!

HE ISN"T EVEN BRITISH!!!!!!!

two points in responses:

1) neither is Alfonso Cuaran.
2) so what, just means his dental hygeine will be better.

That's sarcasm by the way. My point is, the fact that the director of the first two movies was not British, is not a very valid criticism of the movies. If that is the case, then perhaps Prince Harry or Camilla Bowles are more qualified to direct since they are British?

(Reply to this)

aconline writes:
on Oct 18 2006 07:31 AM

I think it would be a good touch for him to come back and finish what he started.

And so far, only 2 of the directors have been British as badmoviecritic has pointed out.

(Reply to this)

South_park300 writes:
on Oct 18 2006 08:26 AM

he didn't make it feel dark like the past 2 movies. i know the stories in the past 2 are darker, but the look of them felt much bigger and darker. they just felt totally different. but meh, i will see it anyways

(Reply to this)

PhreazerBurn writes:
on Oct 18 2006 09:39 AM

[b]Why?[/b]
The two best of the seriers were the ones Columbus DIDN'T direct?

(Reply to this)

FILMCZY writes:
on Oct 18 2006 10:25 AM

Hey Chris, I hear Robin's looking for work. Please excuse yourself from the Potter franchise, run along and make "Mrs. Doubtfire 2" and "Mrs. Doubtfire 3" (back-to-back of course), then we'll talk "Rent 2."

(Reply to this)

winterchili writes:
on Oct 18 2006 10:30 AM

[b]Horrible director.[/b]
But good, then the series can be offically dead to me.

(Reply to this)

gordoape writes:
on Oct 18 2006 10:51 AM

In reply to this comment (#846693)
This would be a disaster, it's still a shame this guy actually ruined two of what could have been grea Harry Potter movies...and the first two books out of all...Of course, Prisoner of Azkaban has been the only good one. Doesn't this studio understand the general population thought most of the films were mediocre or terrible?

(Reply to this)

whoisotter writes:
on Oct 18 2006 10:55 AM

[b]We are all sheep![/b]
Does it really matter who directs the movie? I mean really! We are all still going to line up like the movie sheep that we are at the midnight showing to go see it. So quit your bitching! As for C.C. not being british.......well..........thats just retarded!

(Reply to this)

Bane Of Anubis writes:
on Oct 18 2006 11:16 AM

I love the oft pedantic, oft cow-like nature of people who throw critiques with little thought behind them. If anything, movie 3 was worse than the others (admittedly, it was based on the worst bookl)... It was darker, it was more artistic.... who cares? (point: A good director knows his target audience)

CC made two popcorn flicks for a popcorn audience based on popcorn material.

(Reply to this)

TheIceGhost writes:
on Oct 18 2006 11:20 AM

In reply to this comment (#846693)
Uh, he directed The Goonies...so in my book he can never be considered a 'horrible director'.

I dunno, Columbus did some things very well in the first two , and he did some things that were iffy. Remember, he had the 1st whack at it, and basically set up the atmosphere and styling which the others have pretty much followed (tone not included). You also need to keep in mind that when Chris had the kids they were very new to acting, and the 1st 2 books are a lot 'lighter' than the rest of the series.

Personally, I slightly lean towards Alfonso coming back because the 3rd one is still (to me)the best FILM of the lot, but there is something pleasant about having Columbus come back and 'finish what he started'

....and maybe he'd give a stern smack to Michael Gambon so he'd play Dumbledore right! He's the only part of Azkaban I didn't like, and I HATED how he portrayed him in Goblet....if only there were a way to revive Richard Harris *sigh*.

(Reply to this)

Landshark writes:
on Oct 18 2006 11:21 AM

The Half Blood Prince is by far the darkest of all the Harry Potter books, and he should not direct it. He would go all kidy on it again.

(Reply to this)

Ashron writes:
on Oct 18 2006 12:41 PM

In reply to this comment (#846697)
"Uh, he directed The Goonies...so in my book he can never be considered a 'horrible director'."

Actually this is a perfect reason to consider him a horrible director.

(Reply to this)

rgallitan writes:
on Oct 18 2006 01:11 PM

In reply to this comment (#846699)
[b]RE: Goonies[/b]
Actually, Columbus only wrote The Goonies, from a story by Steven Spielberg. Richard Donner directed.

In any case, the problem with Columbus has nothing to do with how "light" or "kiddie" his directing was. Honestly, I would say he was the perfect amount of "darkness" for those stories - the last half of Chamber was pretty scary, and anyway the series needs room to move, and become darker as the terror of Voldemort increases.

No, no, the problem with Columbus is simply that he's no good. He has only the shallowest grasp of emotion and drama, and a terrible feel for pacing. He's the epitome of the Hollywood processing factory. The problem with his Potter movies isn't that they weren't dark enough or serious enough, but that he tried to be serious and wasn't any good at it.

(Reply to this)

02PARSIM writes:
on Oct 18 2006 01:23 PM

I don't have a problem if he returns. Philosopher's Stone (not Sorceror's, I'm British so I use it by the name I know it as) and Chamber of Secrets were not especially dark books to begin with. But he did manage to give them a creepy atmosphere, the spider sequence in Chamber, the ctual Chamber, loads of stuff had an eery feel. Also the kids were younger then and they struggled with the basic emotions, let alone what they would have to do in Half Blood Prince. But Columbus might do a decent job for the 6th movie, its definately one of the more interesting books to date. With better source material and a better script he could do a decent job. And in my eyes Prisoner is nowhere near as good as people make it out to be, sure its decent, but it drags and lacks something the other three have.

(Reply to this)

Dante Destin writes:
on Oct 18 2006 01:59 PM

[b]RE:[/b]
Columbus can go to hell, the first two films in the franchise are the worst in the series so far and, in my opinion, I believe he's never done a decent film.

(Reply to this)

dagreenman18 writes:
on Oct 18 2006 03:01 PM

no way in hell Colubus should direct. and nitheir should M.Night Shamalayn, because M.Night would come up with a gay twist like Harry is a goldfish.

(Reply to this)

gmazca writes:
on Oct 18 2006 04:15 PM

[b]jesus...[/b]
Columbus isn't the right director for the 6th movie...that should go without saying. When you have films such as Home Alone and Mrs. Doubtfire on your resume, you aren't going to be known for the depth you can give to a story...

I think they should get Christopher Nolan to try his hand at number 6. He has an artistic direction like Alfonso, but he has the substance and pacing that Alfonso is lacking. Perfect director for the movie imho.

(Reply to this)

sonans writes:
on Oct 18 2006 04:17 PM

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

PLEASE DON'T COME BACK

I WANT ------------------------------------------Alfonso Cuarón !

(Reply to this)

haelohm writes:
on Oct 18 2006 05:07 PM

[b]hmmm...[/b]
Based on how set reports and actor responses are going...I think that they should keep David Yates from the OOTP on for the next film. Everyone loves him and hes keeping the elements of the book that made it great in the film. If he wont stay on, I think Alfonso would do a great job on the 6th as he was good with the humor in 3 and the tone and emotion. book 6 itself flows better than the third so it should be better in that respect.

(Reply to this)

Related Links

Rupert Grint

Related Articles

Most Discussed

Latest News

Latest Interviews

Latest Features

Sponsored Links