When Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows came out in 2007, author J.K. Rowling was pretty insistent that the seventh installment had closed the book on the adventures of the Boy Who Lived. Even as recently as April of this year, Rowling said, I think Harry Potter 8, as in what happened next to Harry, Ron and HermioneI dont think thats going to happen. Sure, weve gotten little stories on her site, Pottermore, fleshing out the details of Harrys world, and, yes, Rowling did write the script for the quasi-Potter prequel Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them. But a sequel? Harry Potter 8? That was out. Until now. According to a newly launched Web site, the upcoming two-part Rowling play, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, is officially a Harry Potter sequel. And according to the official art above, its The Eight Story.
This isnt even kind of a sequel. The official synopsis makes it clear that Harry Potter features in more than just the plays title:
"It was always difficult being Harry Potter and it isnt much easier now that he is an overworked employee of the Ministry of Magic, a husband and father of three school-age children. While Harry grapples with a past that refuses to stay where it belongs, his youngest son Albus must struggle with the weight of a family legacy he never wanted. As past and present fuse ominously, both father and son learn the uncomfortable truth: sometimes, darkness comes from unexpected places."
The play, which is being performed in two parts at the Palace Theatre in London, could very well, if were lucky, pave the way to a whole new book series of magical adventures from Rowling, potentially starring Harrys son Albus. And surely, if Warner Bros. has anything to say about it, The Cursed Child will eventually get a film treatment.
But were getting ahead of ourselves. What prompted Rowling to somewhat reverse her position on a Harry-centric sequel? The story only exists because the right group of people came together with a brilliant idea about how to present Harry Potter on stage, she said in a recent statement. Im confident that when audiences see Harry Potter and the Cursed Child they will understand why we chose to tell this story in this way. The story for the play was conceived by Rowling, but, according to the shows Web site, Jack Thorne has the actual playwright credit.
Casting hasnt been announced yet for the play, so you can still, if youd like, keep your fingers crossed that Daniel Radcliffe will miraculously decide to reprise his role as Harry on the stage. Previews begin in June 2016, and some tickets will be available for as little as £10. Once the show opens in late July, tickets will cost as little as £15, with 250 tickets available for every show priced at £20 or less. Priority ticket sales will open online at 11 A.M. G.M.T. Wednesday, October 28, on a first-come, first-served basis. If youve registered for priority booking, youll be first in line (along with everyone else who registered). New Harry Potter is coming. Now all you need to do is hop on the nearest broom, Thestral, or Hippogriff and get yourself to London.
