New ‘Harry Potter’ Coming? Well, Almost, But Not Quite (VIDEO)

Did anyone else hear the words, “new Harry Potter coming” and nearly hurt themselves getting to Google to find out more? If so… know you aren’t alone. I may have pulled a muscle or two, but it was worth it.

It turns out that we’re not imagining things: finally, there’s a brand new Harry Potter story coming! It’s not a spin-off, and it indeed takes place after the previous books in J.K. Rowling’s popular series. With the blessing of Rowling, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child (Parts I & II) will be considered the “soul successors” to the previous books.

Soul successors? What does that mean? Well, it means that yes, we do have new material from the Harry Potter universe coming. It’s just not quite what you may be expecting. At least, if you were expecting it to be an actual new book from the mind of Rowling herself. So then, what exactly

So then, what is new from the world of Harry Potter? Allow me to explain.

According to NPR and J.K. Rowling’s site Pottermore, The Cursed Child continues the story of Harry, Ron, and Hermione after the epilogue in the final book. In other words, nineteen years after the events of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, the seventh and (previously) final story connected to the famous trio.

Thus far, very little is known about the exact plot of the new Harry Potter story coming, aside from what’s been shared on the Pottermore website.

While Harry grapples with a past that refuses to stay where it belongs, his youngest son Albus must struggle with the weight of a family legacy he never wanted. As past and present fuse ominously, both father and son learn the uncomfortable truth: sometimes, darkness comes from unexpected places.

Uh oh. That sounds like trouble strikes close to home, and our “cursed child” just might be within the Potter household. With so little to go by, almost everything is mere speculation at this point. Almost everything.

Again, this new “book” isn’t quite what some fans might be hoping for — a new book straight from J.K. herself. Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is actually the name of the published script for the play of the same name — a play that’s opening in London this summer. It was written by Jack Thorne and will be directed by “Olivier and Tony award-winner John Tiffany.” The Cursed Child was created in collaboration with J.K. Rowling. As was the case when Deathly Hallows hit theaters, the Harry Potter play will be released in two parts “due to the epic nature” of the story being told.

If you can’t go see the play, but desperately want your hands on a piece of the continuing story, then you can read the script. As it is deemed an officially recognized part of the Harry Potter universe, feel free to be excited to learn at long last how Harry, Ron, and Hermione are all faring now that they’re married grown-ups with families and both magical and not-so-magical responsibilities.

ICYMI: The eighth Harry Potter Story. Nineteen years later. Read it on July 31st! #CursedChild #HPScriptBook pic.twitter.com/rqD7JWNlMX

— Scholastic (@Scholastic) February 11, 2016

Of course, given the nature of how it’s being acted (as a play), it’s safe to say that this latest installment will indeed NOT come with a movie featuring the actors we’ve come to strongly associate with all of the featured characters. The only way a movie would likely happen is if the story of Harry Potter were rebooted from the beginning.

Before you dismiss this possibility, remember, we live in a world where Hollywood enjoys rebooting anything and everything. It’s likely only a matter of time before the popular series is sent back into production. Although this time, the second set of Harry Potter movies just might continue for much longer than the previous one.

The script for Harry Potter and the Cursed Child Parts I & II be available on July 31, 2016.

[Image via screen grab from Scholastic’s Twitter]