HBO is already changing one of the most criticized parts of the original Harry Potter movies.
Ron Weasley was a major part of J.K. Rowling’s books, but many fans have long argued that the films reduced his importance.
Rupert Grint’s performance remains popular, but the scripts often made Ron more cowardly, less knowledgeable, and more dependent on Harry and Hermione than he was on the page.
Early footage from HBO’s reboot suggests Alastair Stout’s version will be much closer to the books.
HBO Is Restoring Ron's Book Storylines
The latest trailer puts more emphasis on Ron’s insecurity about growing up in the Weasley family.
His Hogwarts letter is left sitting on the table while Molly Weasley (Katherine Parkinson) focuses on Percy (Ruari Spooner) becoming a Prefect and his brothers create chaos around him.
That directly sets up Ron’s fear of being overshadowed by his siblings.
The books repeatedly return to that insecurity. Ron arrives at Hogwarts after Bill, Charlie, Percy, Fred, and George have already established themselves, leaving him desperate to achieve something that belongs to him.
The trailer also shows Ron supporting Harry (Dominic McLaughlin) during a Quidditch match with a bloody nose.
That appears to reference the novel, where Ron and Neville Longbottom (Rory Wilmot) fight Draco Malfoy (Lox Pratt) and his friends after Draco mocks Harry during the match.
Ron is also shown actively helping Harry and Hermione (Arabella Stanton) fight the troll.
That may seem minor, but it addresses one of the biggest complaints about movie Ron: the films repeatedly made him look less capable than his book counterpart.
HBO has more time to avoid that problem.
The television series can include character beats and subplots that were removed when the novels were condensed into feature films.
The Movies Gave Away Some of Ron's Best Moments
One of the biggest differences between book Ron and movie Ron is his knowledge of the wizarding world.
Harry knows almost nothing about magic when he arrives at Hogwarts. Hermione learns largely through reading. Ron grew up in a wizarding family and regularly explains traditions, prejudices, and everyday magical life to both of them.
The films often transfer that role to Hermione.
As a result, Hermione becomes even more knowledgeable while Ron loses one of his most important contributions to the trio.
His bravery also takes a hit.
In Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, the book has an injured Ron stand between Harry and Sirius Black and make it clear Sirius will have to kill him too.
The film gives that moment to Hermione instead.
Ron’s fear is also emphasized more heavily on screen. He is admittedly terrified of spiders in both versions, but book Ron still enters the Forbidden Forest. He sacrifices himself during the giant chess game, regularly follows Harry into danger, and repeatedly puts himself at risk for his friends.
His relationship with Hermione was also simplified.
The movies retain much of Ron’s jealousy, insecurity, and tactlessness, but remove some of the moments that show his loyalty, instincts, and understanding of Hermione.
Several of his own storylines were cut entirely.
Ron becoming a Gryffindor prefect never makes it into the films. His Quidditch storyline is shortened, while the Deathly Hallows subplot involving the Weasley family ghoul pretending to be a seriously ill Ron is removed.
Those omissions helped create a version of Ron that many readers felt was much weaker than the original character.
Other characters, including Ginny Weasley (now played by Bonnie Hill following Gracie Cochrane's exit from the show), Sirius Black, Remus Lupin, and Harry himself, have faced similar criticism from book fans.
But Ron is already one of the clearest signs that HBO intends to handle the material differently.
Based on the footage released so far, the reboot is restoring parts of Ron Weasley that the original films left behind.
What are you most excited to see in the Harry Potter reboot?
