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

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.

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.

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.

J.K. Rowling’s beloved wizarding series roughly 15 years after the final movie in the franchise came out. Some people are pumped about the upcoming Harry Potte r TV serie s, and some are opposed, but if you were to ask original franchise director Chris Columbus how he feels,

Chris Columbus, the director who set the tone for the Harry Potter film franchise with Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone and Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, has given a glowing endorsement to HBO’s upcoming Harry Potter television adaptation.

Original Harry Potter director Chris Columbus has called the incoming HBO reboot series a "spectacular idea" as it has the potential to better recreate the books. Speaking to People, Columbus said he was restricted by the relatively short runtimes of films when directing Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone and Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets.