David Fincher, adapting the American Squid Games, pitched a 'creepy' version of Harry Potter movies

David Fincher reveals his pitch for a darker Harry Potter film was rejected; he's now tied to U.S. Squid Game remake.

Director David Fincher, renowned for his unique, dark storytelling, recently opened up about an intriguing chapter in his career: his pitch to direct a “creepy” version of Harry Potter. Speaking with Variety, Fincher revealed that he was approached by Warner Bros. to discuss how he would approach adapting J.K. Rowling’s beloved series for the big screen.

“I was asked to come in and talk to them about how I would do ‘Harry Potter,’” Fincher said. “I remember saying, ‘I just don’t want to do the clean Hollywood version of it. I want to do something that looks a lot more like ‘Withnail and I,’ and I want it to be kind of creepy.’”

Warner Bros., however, had other ideas, envisioning a more traditional approach. “They were like, ‘We want Thom Browne schooldays by way of ‘Oliver,’” Fincher noted. His version of the wizarding world never materialized, leaving fans to wonder how his trademark style might have transformed the franchise.

In addition to this revelation, Fincher is reportedly involved in several new projects, including an American adaptation of Netflix’s hit series Squid Game and a miniseries prequel to the iconic film Chinatown, co-written with its late screenwriter Robert Towne.

Reflecting on his career choices, Fincher shared his interest in tackling pre-existing material with widespread appeal, a pattern evident in his past works such as The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo and Gone Girl.

While fans may never see his vision for Harry Potter, his upcoming projects continue to generate buzz, particularly the highly anticipated U.S. version of Squid Game. Fincher’s ability to blend gripping narratives with psychological depth ensures these adaptations will be ones to watch.