‘POTTER’ PROLIFERATES
Theater play “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child“ is expanding its global footprint with two new international productions slated for Brazil in 2025 and the Netherlands in 2026. The Brazilian production, marking the play’s Latin American debut, will be performed in Portuguese under VME‘s banner. Stage Entertainment will mount the Dutch-language version in the Netherlands. Both productions will present the one-part version of the play.
Brazil represents the franchise’s third-largest global market, according to VME CEO Vinícius Munhoz. “Fans here have created a unique connection with this magical universe that transcends generations,” he notes.
The play, which opened in London in 2016, has sold over 11 million tickets worldwide and scored 60 major honors, including nine Olivier Awards and six Tony Awards. Current productions run in London, New York, Hamburg, Tokyo, and Chicago.
Based on a story by J.K. Rowling, Jack Thorne, and John Tiffany, “Cursed Child” follows Harry Potter’s next generation at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. The play is produced by Sonia Friedman Productions, Colin Callender, and Harry Potter Theatrical Productions.
CASTING COUP
India’s Yash Raj Films and Posham Pa Pictures have tapped Ayushmann Khurrana to lead their first theatrical co-production, with Sameer Saxena directing. The untitled project marks the inaugural release from the recently announced partnership between the legacy studio and the emerging production house.
The collaboration, announced last week, will begin producing theatrical releases in 2025. The venture aligns with YRF’s expanding studio model under CEO Akshaye Widhani, who steps into his second producer role following an upcoming Mohit Suri-directed romance featuring newcomers Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda.
MANAGEMENT MOVES
Banijay Nordic has upped Sissel Randsborg to CEO and Hege Vik Hansen to creative director at Mastiff Norway. The appointments come as current chief Jostein Olseng readies his exit to NRK in spring 2025. Under the new structure, Randsborg will oversee operations and factual growth while Vik Hansen steers creative development and entertainment. The label recently launched “The Summit” in seven territories and renewed “Bloody Game” at TV 2.
The moves follow Banijay Nordic’s executive reshuffling in Sweden, where Madelene Hansson now leads Meter/Jarowskij’s non-scripted division and Elin Kvist heads scripted unit Jarowskij/Yellow Bird.
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