David Fincher Proposes Darker Adaptation of Harry Potter: “I Want to Avoid the Sanitized Hollywood Version”

David Fincher has shared that he envisioned a much darker and creepier take on the Harry Potter film series. While Chris Columbus ultimately directed the adaptation of the first book and its sequel, several renowned directors, including Steven Spielberg, M. Night Shyamalan, Rob Reiner, Terry Gilliam, and Tim Robbins, were also considered for the project. At that time, Fincher, known for his works like Se7en and Fight Club, was on the shortlist as well.

In an interview with Variety, Fincher recounted how he was invited by Warner Bros. to present his interpretation of Harry Potter. He indicated his desire to stray away from the “clean Hollywood version” and instead create a film that echoed the dark comedy of the 1987 classic Withnail and I. However, Warner Bros. did not align with his vision, favoring a more traditional and family-friendly approach. In his own words:

I was asked to come in and talk to them about how I would do “Harry Potter.”I remember saying, “I just don’t want to do the clean Hollywood version of it. I want to do something that looks a lot more like ‘Withnail and I,’ and I want it to be kind of creepy.”They were like, “We want Thom Browne schooldays by way of ‘Oliver’.”

Impact on the Harry Potter Franchise

Fincher’s Vision: A Different Direction

Harry, Ron, and Hermione looking up in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone

If Fincher’s darker vision had been realized, the Harry Potter films would have been drastically different and potentially less popular. Although there are elements of darkness in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, such as the unsettling revelation about Professor Quirinus Quirrell and Lord Voldemort, the film introduces audiences to a whimsical, charming world. The subsequent stories do venture into deeper themes as Harry and his friends mature, but the initial installment focuses on adventure and fun rather than being overtly dark.

The commercial success of the Harry Potter films largely stems from their well-crafted coming-of-age narrative that resonates with families and young audiences. A Fincher-directed version might have stripped away this essential appeal, greatly affecting the film’s box office performance and possibly jeopardizing the adaptations of the remaining books.

Assessment of Fincher’s Comments

Chris Columbus: The Right Choice

Harry Potter in the girls' bathroom after fighting off a troll

While Fincher’s ambition to adapt Harry Potter in a unique manner is understandable, it’s evident that his approach would not have matched the source material nor met audience expectations. Chris Columbus’s direction for Sorcerer’s Stone ultimately resulted in a film that successfully honored the beloved story. Moreover, not being selected for this project might have been a fortuitous turn for Fincher, allowing him to focus on the darker, standalone narratives that define his acclaimed style, evident in films like Se7en, Fight Club, and Gone Girl.

Source: Variety

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