Chris Columbus, the director of the first two 'Harry Potter' films, agrees with fans about the perfect Lord Voldemort actor in HBO's reboot.

Harry Potter director delivers verdict on controversial TV series – and names first choice for Voldemort - Show is expected to start filming this summer

Now that the Harry Potter franchise will be rebooted in the form of an HBO series airing on Max, rumors are flying around about who will play the iconic characters. Among the many rumors is Oppenheimer star Cillian Murphy could take on the the villainous Lord Voldemort.

Harry Potter director Chris Columbus would approve of Cillian Murphy being cast as the villain Lord Voldemort in the upcoming TV adaptation. The Home Alone filmmaker, who directed the first two Harry Potter films,

Speaking to PEOPLE at the Nosferatu premiere in Los Angeles, Columbus called the TV series a "spectacular idea," and spilled the beans on Cillian Murphy 's casting rumors. He noted that a series format would allow for more detailed storytelling than the films.

Original Harry Potter helmer Chris Columbus is praising HBO’s forthcoming television reboot, calling it a “spectacular idea” that will allow for the exploration of previously uncharted Hogwarts hallways.

The filmmaker, 66, spoke with PEOPLE exclusively at the Los Angeles premiere of Nosferatu, where he reacted to the news that Harry Potter is being adapted into a television series for HBO, following a successful string of films — two of which Columbus directed.

A director of two Harry Potter movies shares his thoughts about the upcoming HBO TV show reboot, weighing in on a popular Voldemort fancasting.