CARL COURT/AFP/Getty ImagesCan't get enough Harry Potter? Then you'll be excited to hear this!
J.K. Rowling has announced her HP stage play, titled Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, will open in London's West End beginning summer 2016. The play will tell the "untold part" of the boy wizard's story, which includes the lives of his murdered parents, James and Lily Potter.
The famed author clarified on Twitter, however, that the play would not be a prequel. She also addressed any naysayers who might question why she didn't pen a new novel instead of putting on a play.
"I am confident that when audiences see the play they will agree it was the only proper medium for the story #CursedChild," she tweeted.
Her big news also happened to fall on the 18th anniversary of Harry Potter and the Philosopher's (Sorcerer's) Stone being published in the U.K. She didn't give much insight in terms of the plot of the play other than the itty bit about Harry's parents because she didn't "want to spoil what I know will be a real treat for fans."
We appreciate the consideration, Rowling, but can't you tease a little bit more?!
This has been a huge week for her fans, as she also released a new backstory on her website, Pottermore, that explored the Dursleys' deeply rooted hatred for Harry.
It all began when Lily was in her final year at Hogwarts, and her sister, Petunia, invited her and her then-boyfriend, James Potter, to dinner to meet her fiancé, Vernon Dursley. "James was amused by Vernon, and made the mistake of showing it," Rowling wrote on her fan site. "Vernon tried to patronise James, asking what car he drove. James described his racing broom."
The back-and-forth between both men only led to more resentment on Vernon's part, who already doesn't enjoy when things are out of the ordinary. Rowling also explained that Vernon and Severus Snape, a very misunderstood character, had something in common: Both of their hatreds for Harry stems from the fact that he resembles his father so much.
Although Petunia's hatred of Harry was just as severe as the rest of her family's, Rowling confessed that she debated turning her into a more sympathetic character by the end of the series. She ultimately changed her mind. Could you imagine a friendly Petunia?!