Audible, in a joint venture with Pottermore Publishing, will release new "Harry Potter" audiobooks for the entire seven-part series by J. K. Rowling, scheduled for late 2025. This project elevates the essence of fantasy to a new level, as over 100 versatile performers and the stories themselves are poised to bring forth a magical transformation.
Audible, managed by its parent company Amazon, and Pottermore Publishing, the publisher of both audio and ebook versions of the "Harry Potter" novels, pointed out that the new audiobooks will not challenge the much-treasured versions by Jim Dale and Stephen Fry. The statement emphasized that they intend for the new ones to work well alongside them, adding something new that fits nicely with what is already there.
Bob Carrigan, the CEO of Audible, revealed that the upcoming audiobooks will have a cutting-edge soundscape. They will include natural sounds and unique music to make listeners forget about their surroundings and get immersed in the story. Unlike other formats of storytelling, this new concept focuses on making the storytelling process much more exciting and interactive.
Neil Blair, the head of Pottermore Publishing, said with absolute certainty that the power of J.K. Rowling's storytelling and the state-of-the-art technology of the audiobooks would work more efficiently together. He expressed his opinion that this complex interconnection will add to the thrill for ardent fans and be an appealing means to draw a new generation to the captivating world of Hogwarts and its dwellers.
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The sequential release of the seven upcoming English language audiobooks will begin with the legendary "Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone," which narrates the hero's initiation into the magical realm as he is welcomed at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry for the first time. The "Harry Potter" series concludes with "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows," where the greatest hero, now 17, faces the most powerful villain, Lord Voldemort, facing the fate of the wizard world.
The original single-voice English "Harry Potter" audiobooks will remain accessible. They were initially published in 1999. Since their debut on Audible in 2015, these audiobooks have accumulated 1.4 billion listening hours worldwide.
This upcoming release has been scheduled to catch the attention of the fans of the upcoming "Harry Potter" reboot series. In April 2023, Warner Bros. disclosed plans to produce a "Harry Potter" TV show that will be aired on its streaming platform, Max. The studio is looking for a showrunner, wanting to match the content of the books as much as possible and suggesting a 10-season storyline. Notably, the original cast members of the films are not expected to reprise their roles. Currently, all eight "Harry Potter" films are available on Max.
The unveiling of these new "Harry Potter" audiobooks follows in the footsteps of Audible's previous ventures into the realm of classic literature adaptations. Another worthwhile project being undertaken is Mr. Sam Mendes-produced audiobooks of Dickensian classics through the Dave Copperfield and Oliver Twist titles that were lauded for their unbeatable performances by distinguished actors, including Ncuti Gatwa, Helena Bonham Carter, and Nicola Coughlan.
Only Audible has managed to become the undisputed leader of the audiobook market. However, the eye-opening debut of contenders like Spotify has turned it into fierce competition. Spotify launched an audiobook service in 2018, bringing out its premium subscriber-oriented service in October 2023. Despite this encroachment, Audible remains steadfast in its commitment to delivering unparalleled auditory experiences bolstered by its upcoming "Harry Potter" audiobooks.
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