The Harry Potter movies did their best to include as many details and characters from the books as possible, but they completely failed the “Chosen One” prophecy, and with it the importance of Neville Longbottom in the story. J.K. Rowling presented her very own world of magic in 1997 with Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, the first entry in what would become a series of seven novels, ending in 2007 with Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.

It didn’t take long for Harry Potter and company to make the jump to the big screen, beginning in 2001 and ending ten years later, with Deathly Hallows being split into two parts. The Harry Potter movies covered as much ground as possible, as the novels are packed with details and characters of all types, but it had to cut some scenes, of which some weren’t exactly relevant to the story. However, it also ignored others that were very important to understand not only Harry Potter but Lord Voldemort and some secondary characters as well.

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One thing Harry Potter fans will never forgive is how the movies failed to properly explain the “Chosen One” prophecy, as it also ended up ruining a very important part of Neville Longbottom’s arc.

Harry Potter Movies Forgot Neville Could Have Been The Chosen One

Sybill Trelawney’s prophecy said that the one powerful enough to defeat Lord Voldemort would be that born to those who “thrice defied him”, born as the seventh month dies, and would be marked by Voldemort as his equal. The “chosen one” would also have power the Dark Lord doesn’t, and stated that “either must die at the hand of the other for neither can live while the other survives” (this part has been interpreted differently among fans). Casual Harry Potter viewers will immediately link the “chosen one” term to Harry Potter, but he wasn’t the only child who could have defeated Lord Voldemort.

Neville Longbottom was also a candidate for the “chosen one” label, as he also fits the prophecy. Neville was born on July 30, 1980, and Harry the day after; and the Longbottoms, just like the Potters, defied Voldemort on three occasions. The only reason why Harry was the one is because Voldemort thought Harry was the child the prophecy was talking about. By targeting him and trying to kill him, Voldemort marked him as his equal, while Neville got to live his life without that burden (though that doesn’t mean he had an easy life). The Harry Potter movies failed to explain that part of the prophecy, and instead Neville was just Harry’s friend who was shy and clumsy, but played an important part in the Battle of Hogwarts – that’s something the movies couldn’t take away from him.

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Adrienne Tyler
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Adrienne Tyler is a features writer for Screen Rant. She is an Audiovisual Communication graduate who wanted to be a filmmaker, but life had other plans (and it turned out great). Prior to Screen Rant, she wrote for Pop Wrapped, 4 Your Excitement (4YE), and D20Crit, where she was also a regular guest at Netfreaks podcast. She was also a contributor for FanSided’s BamSmackPow and 1428 Elm. Adrienne is very into films and she enjoys a bit of everything: from superhero films to heartbreaking dramas, to low-budget horror films. Every time she manages to commit to a TV show without getting bored, an angel gets its wings.

When she’s not writing, you can find her trying to learn a new language, watching hockey (go Avs!), or wondering what life would have been like had Pushing Daisies, Firefly, and Limitless not been cancelled. Breakfast food is life and coffee is what makes the world go round.

Guillermo del Toro said “hi” to her once. It was great.

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