Per Columbus, just getting the chance to retell the story in more detail is a “fantastic” prospect. The famous director of other great films like Home Alone and Stepmom explained why, telling People the idea of a longform narrative is really exciting.

Original Harry Potter helmer Chris Columbus is praising HBO’s forthcoming television reboot, calling it a “spectacular idea” that will allow for the exploration of previously uncharted Hogwarts hallways.

The director of the first two entries in the film franchise thinks this Irish star would be an "amazing" Dark Lord.

The filmmaker, 66, spoke with PEOPLE exclusively at the Los Angeles premiere of Nosferatu, where he reacted to the news that Harry Potter is being adapted into a television series for HBO, following a successful string of films — two of which Columbus directed.