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.

Chris Columbus, director of the blockbuster Harry Potter films, has given his verdict on the long-awaited and controversial new TV series. The 66-year-old directed Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone and Chamber of Secrets, before the sequels were picked up by directors Mike Newell, David Yates and Alfonso Cuarón.

Casting rumors for the Harry Potter TV reboot have been heating up over the past few months, with plenty of names for Snape and Dumbledore in the mix. The franchise's main villain is now getting some of the limelight with one name consistently being linked with the big bad: Cillian Murphy.

Original Harry Potter helmer Chris Columbus is praising HBO's forthcoming television reboot, calling it a 'spectacular idea.'

One of the baddest villains in cinema will need a new actor to play him, and one Harry Potter director knows who it should be.

Original Harry Potter director Chris Columbus has called the incoming HBO reboot series a "spectacular idea" as it has the potential to better recreate the books.

Chris Columbus is giving his thoughts on the upcoming Harry Potter television series being adapted by HBO. In an interview with People magazine, the director, who helmed Harry Potter and the Philospher's Stone (also known as Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone) and the Chamber of Secrets,

Original “Harry Potter” director Chris Columbus said in an interview with People magazine that remaking J.K. Rowling’s iconic book series as a television series for HBO is “a spectacular idea because there’s a certain restriction when you’re making a film.

Chris Columbus, the director who set the tone for the Harry Potter film franchise with Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone and Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, has given a glowing endorsement to HBO’s upcoming Harry Potter television adaptation.