The Harry Potter novels and movies were the beginning of what would end up becoming a media franchise with spinoffs, video games, a theme park, and more, and it almost had a musical adaptation by none other than Michael Jackson. Back in 1997, Rowling introduced readers to the Wizarding World with her debut novel Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, the first entry in what would become a series of seven novels. The books told the story of “The Boy Who Lived” and his fight against Lord Voldemort, the darkest wizard of all who had dangerous plans for both the Muggle and Wizarding world.
The Harry Potter book series became a worldwide phenomenon, making way for the movie saga, released between 2001 and 2011, with the final novel, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, split into two movies. The success of the movies allowed the Wizarding World to expand with supplementary books, video games, spinoff movies, a stage production, and even a theme park, and the expansion doesn’t really seem to be stopping anytime soon. However, the Wizarding World almost got a musical adaptation, as the King of Pop himself, Michael Jackson, wanted to give Harry Potter and company the musical treatment.
Why J.K. Rowling Turn Down Michael Jackson’s Idea
J.K. Rowling has allowed the Wizarding World to expand to other media beyond film, but that doesn’t mean she has agreed to every idea that has been offered to her. In an interview with Oprah Winfrey in 2015, Rowling was asked if she had ever been reluctant about the expansion of the Wizarding World beyond the books and movies, as there’s now “an entire Potter universe”. Rowling replied that it “could be so much worse” and revealed that Michael Jackson pitched her an idea for a Harry Potter musical. Rowling turned him down and told Oprah that she had said “no” to many things regarding the Wizarding World and its expansion, but she didn’t share details about Jackson’s musical idea.
Rowling added that she loves the Harry Potter movies and likes the theme park, and she agreed to do these and all the other expansions of the Wizarding World because she “knew it would be incredible”. Since that interview, Harry Potter hasn’t been adapted into a musical – neither a play nor a movie – but it did get a two-part play titled Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, a sequel to the books. Set 19 years after the events of Deathly Hallows, it focuses on the children of Harry Potter and Draco Malfoy, but instead of being an exciting return to the Wizarding World, it has been heavily criticized by fans due to its story, characters, and retcons of the Harry Potter saga.
Did Michael Jackson Ever Make A Musical?
Michael Jackson’s plans for a Harry Potter musical never became a reality, and he actually never made a musical. Michael Jackson is best known for his music career, but he also branched out to film with either cameo appearances or playing himself. Among his acting credits is the musical The Wiz, a reimagining of the classic novel The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, starring Diana Ross as Dorothy, Nipsey Russell as Tin Man, Red Ross as Cowardly Lion, and Jackson as Scarecrow. The Wiz is the closest Michael Jackson was to making a musical, and while it’s hard to say how good or bad his Harry Potter musical could have been, what’s for sure is that it wouldn’t have been an easy task adapting a seven-book-long story into one play, as well as coming up with songs that fit the narrative and style of the Wizarding World.
