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.

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,

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.

Now that the Harry Potter franchise will be rebooted in the form of an HBO series airing on Max, rumors are flying around about who will play the iconic characters. Among the many rumors is Oppenheimer star Cillian Murphy could take on the the villainous Lord Voldemort.

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.

Speaking to PEOPLE at the Nosferatu premiere in Los Angeles, Columbus called the TV series a "spectacular idea," and spilled the beans on Cillian Murphy 's casting rumors. He noted that a series format would allow for more detailed storytelling than the films.

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.

"I look forward to seeing what they're trying to do with it," the filmmaker told PEOPLE Chris Columbus is excited for the next chapter in the Harry Potter universe. The filmmaker, 66, spoke with PEOPLE exclusively at the Los Angeles premiere of Nosferatu,

Harry Potter director Chris Columbus would approve of Cillian Murphy being cast as the villain Lord Voldemort in the upcoming TV adaptation. The Home Alone filmmaker, who directed the first two Harry Potter films,

Chris Columbus, director of the first two original Harry Potter movies, is sharing his thoughts about HBO's new television take on J.K. Rowling's magical classic. Columbus has also weighed in on the rumors surrounding the casting of Cillian Murphy as Lord Voldemort.