J.K. Rowling Says West End's HARRY POTTER AND THE CURSED CHILD Will Not Hit the Big Screen

Author extraordinaire J.K. Rowling took to Twitter on Monday to dispel a rumor that her forthcoming West End play HARRY POTTER AND THE CURSED CHILD is eyeing a big screen debut.

But the upcoming HP spin-off film FANTASTIC BEASTS AND WHERE TO FIND THEM, starring stage and screen vet Eddie Redmayne, is the first of a trilogy.

Based on an original new story by J.K. Rowling, Jack Thorne and John Tiffany, HARRY POTTER AND THE CURSED CHILD is a new play by Jack Thorne, directed by John Tiffany. It will receive its world premiere in London's West End at the Palace Theatre this summer and is the eighth story in the Harry Potter series and the first official Harry Potter story to be presented on stage.

Producers Sonia Friedman and Colin Callender recently announced the full company of 42 that will be joining Jamie Parker (Harry), Noma Dumezweni (Hermione) and Paul Thornley (Ron) onstage come this summer. Including seven children who will alternate two roles, the actors will be playing a variety of characters.

HARRY POTTER AND THE CURSED CHILD is one play presented in two parts. Both parts are intended to be seen in order on the same day (matinee and evening) or on two consecutive evenings. The first preview performance will take place at the Palace Theatre on 7 June 2016 as scheduled. HARRY POTTER AND THE CURSED CHILD is currently booking to 27 May 2017, with opening performances of Part One and Part Two on Saturday 30 July 2016.

It was always difficult being Harry Potter and it isn't much easier now that he is an overworked employee of the Ministry of Magic, a husband and father of three school-age children. 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.

HARRY POTTER AND THE CURSED CHILD has movement by Steven Hoggett, set by Christine Jones, costumes by Katrina Lindsay, music by Imogen Heap, lighting by Neil Austin, sound by Gareth Fry, special effects by Jeremy Chernick, illusions by Jamie Harrison, music supervision by Martin Lowe and casting by Julia Horan.

HARRY POTTER AND THE CURSED CHILD is produced by Sonia Friedman Productions, Colin Callender's Playground Entertainment and Harry Potter Theatrical Productions.

For more, visit www.HarryPotterthePlay.com.