Warner Bros. Pictures and director J.K. Rowling’s (creator of the Harry Potter series) wonderful Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2 was one of the biggest films of the year. The movie not only ended the Harry Potter franchise, but it also served as a send-off to the entire previous decade of cinema. The final act, aptly titled “The Final Chapter,” featured many of our favorite characters—both old and new—paying homage to the decade of films that came before.
The film’s climax saw the return of Robert Pattinson (aka the vampire Edward Cullen from the Twilight series), who portrayed Harry’s longtime friend and confidant Hedwig. In the wake of the movie’s massive success, it’s safe to assume that Rowling was inundated with fan letters begging her to bring back the beloved magical creatures and friends from the Harry Potter series. In the years since its release, Potterheads have eagerly awaited news of a potential Harry Potter reunion—especially since Hedwig is the character they miss the most.
No New Friends
In 2017, fans were devastated when news broke that Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart had called it quits. The fallout from the split, which lasted for several years, was evident in numerous ways. For one, Stewart took time off from her film production commitments to focus on her friend and collaborator’s career. She also kept a relatively low profile, attending premieres and events as a guest rather than as Robert Pattinson’s public partner.
Although she’s not been seen in public since 2015, Stewart continues to be a vocal advocate for her friend. When she heard about Rowling’s plans for a Harry Potter reunion, she allegedly reached out to urge the author to reconsider. Stewart wants to continue their relationship, and she doesn’t want to see their reunion sullied by the demands of Hollywood—especially since they both have other careers they want to focus on, too.
Other Priorities
Rowling, meanwhile, has had plenty of time to consider fans’ pleas for a Hedwig return. After becoming a grandmother, she started receiving pleas for the magical creature, whose role in the Harry Potter series was to accompany and protect the main character. In the years since the release of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 2, the 71-year-old has been busy touring the UK in a magical “wand” tour. In addition, she’s been inundated with fan letters asking for a Harry Potter reunion. Despite all this, she has chosen to remain tight-lipped about her views on the matter.
Why Did Robert Pattinson Not Do Harry Potter Reunion?
With all these variables in play, it’s not surprising that there’s been no word about a Harry Potter reunion between Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart. Here’s why:
He’s Still Got Kristen Stewart
The man dubbed the “Prince of Dark Romantism” by Vanity Fair still has a significant following of fans who want to see him reunite with the on-screen wife he cheated on with the Twilight actress. The two started dating in 2013 and were married a year later. Even after their nasty split in 2017, they have maintained a cordial relationship. In fact, they’ve collaborated on several projects, including a collection of short stories and a memoir.
While Stewart might not exactly be holding her breath on a potential reunion, she has chosen to be Robert Pattinson’s good friend and hasn’t held a grudge against him. In an interview with Elle, she said:
“I have very much loved every minute of being with Rob—even those painful parts… I’ve never regretted any of it. I don’t think he’s ever regretted any of it. I know he’s happy and I’m glad for him. He’s a great husband and a really good father. He’s a wonderful friend. I’ve learned so much from him. I can’t wait to spend the rest of my life with him.”
Pattinson has undoubtedly benefited from the positive press coverage he’s received from collaborating with Stewart. While he’s had some rough patches, the upsides of being married to the actress far outweigh the negatives. After years of speculation and waiting, it seems that Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart are finally happy and content with their lives and each other.
Other Actresses Preferred
With so many variables in play, it’s not entirely surprising that other actresses who’ve been around the block a few times prefer to remain single. When news broke that Robert Pattinson had been approached about a Harry Potter reunion, the film world rejoiced (at least partly) because they wanted another chance at starring in a franchise that brought in billions of dollars. While the idea of a reunion is appealing, it’s clear that Robert Pattinson isn’t the actor many actresses want to work with. Or, as Vanity Fair puts it, he’s “the last romantic actor standing.”
Scarlett Johansson, Brie Larson, and Evangeline Lilly were three of the most prominent actresses who’d worked with him previously. While they might not have been keen on a collaboration with Pattinson after he cheated on them with Stewart, they would’ve jumped at the chance to star in another Harry Potter film. The same can be said for Jennifer Lopez and Rebecca Ferguson, who’ve both appeared with the actor in films like Dog Days and Robin Hood.
As much as fans would love to see these female stars team up with the Dark Knight, it doesn’t seem that any of them want to take the risk of working with him again. In the end, it’s not entirely clear if and when a Harry Potter reunion will happen, but it seems unlikely that it will happen any time soon.
His Contract Is Up
Although Marvel Studios initially gave Robert Pattinson a six-year contract, that ends this year. While there’s no indication that the actor has plans to renew it, it’s highly unlikely that he’ll end up back in a Harry Potter film. In the years since the release of the last Harry Potter film, Pattinson has transitioned to doing more serious dramas, including last year’s Venice Film Festival smash hit, The Lighthouse. Directed by Robert Pattinson, the film is about the friendship between Scott, a 19th century explorer, and Will, played by Michael, who is slowly going insane due to a curse. Despite playing a character who’s going through a tough time, Scott has been open about his desire to work on a Harry Potter film again. While Michael appears to be the kind of actor who wants to keep working in film, it’s unlikely that he’ll get the opportunity.
He’s Not The Fanboy Type
Not all celebrities are created equal, and Robert Pattinson definitely isn’t your average fanboy. He doesn’t go on Twitter and Instagram to brag about himself or his projects. He also rarely retweets other people, particularly when it comes to celebrity tweets. For much of the past few years, Robert Pattinson’s entire media presence has consisted of him either collaborating with or appearing in the films of other, more famous people. While he might not get a Hollywood break anytime soon, he’s managed to keep himself somewhat relevant in the media world—at least to fans.
Perhaps the best indication of Robert Pattinson’s good taste comes from his choices of collaborators. While he might appear to be a “villain” in Twilight, the fact that he’s chosen to work with some of the greats in cinematic history is a testament to his taste and abilities. In the years since the release of the last Harry Potter film, fans have eagerly awaited news of a potential reunion. While it seems they’ll have to wait a little while longer, it seems that waiting for a superstar isn’t going to pay off for these fans.