The latest episode of Screen Rant‘s Pitch Meeting series casts its wand upon the fifth film in the Wizarding saga, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. Based on J.K. Rowling’s 2003 novel of the same name and released in 2007, Order of the Phoenix is the fifth installment in the Harry Potter film series and the first directed by David Yates, who went on to helm the three remaining entries and the entire Fantastic Beasts prequel trilogy. Order of the Phoenix was adapted for the screen by Michael Goldenberg, making it the only Harry Potter film not scripted by Steve Kloves.
Daniel Radcliffe returned once again to lead the Order of the Phoenix cast as Harry Potter alongside Emma Watson and Rupert Grint as his best friends, Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley. The film finds Harry in his fifth year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry as the Ministry of Magic is in denial of Lord Voldemort’s return after he was resurrected at the end of the Goblet of Fire. Order of the Phoenix also introduces the titular covert organization, founded by Professor Dumbledore, which also includes Rubeus Hagrid, Mad-Eye Moody, Sirius Black, Professor McGonagall, Remus Lupin, and the Weasleys as members.
Now, Screen Rant‘s Pitch Meeting series is diving back into the catalog of Harry Potter moves. Having already covered the first four films, host Ryan George is now casting his wand upon Order of the Phoenix, imagining how a pitch meeting for the Harry Potter film might have played out at Warner Bros. Studios. Watch the new Pitch Meeting below:
Click here to watch the video on YouTube.
As usual, the Order of the Phoenix Pitch Meeting episode begins by poking fun at the film’s title before moving on to its glaring plot holes, contradictory world-building, and other inconsistencies. This is a common issue with low-fantasy adaptations like Harry Potter, which are set in the real world but are governed by their own fantastical rules. For instance, the Order of the Phoenix performs public magic on their way to Harry’s hearing at the Ministry of Magic for having performed underage magic in public. While the scene is exhilarating and cinematic, it doesn’t quite make sense.
The episode also highlights Imelda Staunton’s twisted performance as Hogwarts’ new Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher, Dolores Umbridge, who arguably inspires more hate than the Dark Lord himself. However, it’s a wonder why Umbridge didn’t break down the wall to the Room of Requirement much earlier. For all its shortcomings, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix is still a strong entry into the beloved film saga.
