The long-awaited Harry Potter 20th Anniversary: Return to Hogwarts hit screens on New Year’s Day – and while fans were ecstatic about the return of their favourite trio, they were quick to pick up on an “embarrassing” blunder.
Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson and Rupert Grint re-joined forces and welcomed stans back to where it all began for the 20th anniversary of the first Harry Potter franchise.
A wholesome photo of a young girl wearing Minnie Mouse ears appeared on the screen during a segment where Watson, who played Hermione Granger, was reminiscing back to her childhood.
The problem? It wasn’t Emma Watson. It was Holidate actress Emma Roberts.
One eagle-eyed viewer took to Twitter with the blunder and said: “GUYS HELP ME THATS LITERALLY EMMA ROBERTS NOT EMMA WATSON.”
Roberts had shared the throwback image to her Instagram feed back in 2012.
GUYS HELP ME THATS LITERALLY EMMA ROBERTS NOT EMMA WATSON ☠️☠️☠️☠️☠️☠️☠️☠️☠️ #ReturnToHogwarts #HarryPotter20thAnniversary pic.twitter.com/bLbXcCUpnh
— 𝕞𝕒𝕟𝕚𝕒 (@vee_delmonico99) January 1, 2022
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Once the news spread, fans of the franchise turned to Twitter. One user pondered whether the “hilariously bad error” was purposely done.
“Can’t decide if this was on purpose or if it’s a hilariously bad error by Warner Bros,” they tweeted. “They used a photo of actress Emma Roberts as a child instead of Emma Watson.”
Another passionate user was left in disbelief, saying: “THEY PUT THE FAMOUS EMMA ROBERTS PICTURE IN THE REUNION THAT ALMOST EVERYONE THINK IT’S EMMA WATSON. WHAT THE ACTUAL F**K. I CAN’T BELIEVE THIS.”
no but wait that's actually so embarassing 😭 https://t.co/pRksW55rW8
— ♡ 𝒅𝒂𝒘𝒏⁷🐰 MISSES BTS SO MUCH 😭💜 (@dawnkookie_) January 3, 2022
This is taking me out https://t.co/scgc6oDoI5
— Sergio (@needabeneutered) January 3, 2022
there’s no way susdjsjsksk https://t.co/7FrjLhv5lN
— rayen (@guysitsray) January 3, 2022
this may be the only shot of the Hogwarts Reunion I ever see and wow https://t.co/DBLfpTkSwR
— Kat in the Hat 🎅 (@EvilSalmon3791) January 3, 2022
somehow this something legacies would do https://t.co/NhkDknZZxN
— ri wilted petals bot (@feuenfeu) January 2, 2022
Ohhhhh LMAO
— DayMare plaid skin edition (@cuternightmare) January 3, 2022
I remember sitting there thinking "She looked like a completely different child here" 🤣 https://t.co/jd8SGE6zcQ
I saw a tweet saying "not emma watson" and had no idea why, now I'm 💀 https://t.co/JUHlKaQvXb
— Katie Mc📸 - 🙈🙉🙊 (@PicsByKatieMcG) January 3, 2022
Yo gotta be kidding me warner brothers 🙂😂😂 https://t.co/AerRNyidxJ
— 𝔎𝔞𝔱𝔥🦇 (@_Myersgirl) January 2, 2022
In a separate segment of the Harry Potter reunion, Oliver and James Phelps, who played the Weasley twins, were wrongly labelled.
Oliver turned to Instagram to highlight the mishap. He said: “I guess after all those pranks over the years somebody decided to get their revenge,”
“It was fantastic to be part of the HP reunion. Hope you all enjoyed it #ReturnToHogwarts.”
Producers of Harry Potter 20th Anniversary: Return to Hogwarts have since said in a statement: “Well spotted Harry Potter fans!
“You brought an editing mistake of a mislabeled photograph to our attention. New version up shortly.”
Indy100 has reached out to Warner Bros for comment.