Hogwarts Legacy has finally given Harry Potter fans the ability to live and breathe within the halls of Hogwarts, and it has been a magical treat so far. It feels like Avalanche Software has a new franchise on its hands, and fans cannot wait to see what the studio does next. While it could continue to explore new original tales through Hogwarts Legacy sequels, it could also explore one Hogwarts most popular rule-breakers: the Marauders.
The Marauders play a major role in Harry Potter, but their story has not really been told yet. A lot of fans were expecting Warner Bros. to explore this group in live-action, but the new Harry Potter reboot likely means any Marauders project is on the backburner for a little while. If Warner Bros. will not explore their story, then perhaps Avalanche Software can pick up the slack.
The Marauders are the Perfect Protagonists for Hogwarts Legacy
On the train to Hogwarts, Sirius Black and James Potter met for the first time. They would quickly become very close friends during their Hogwarts journey, and would eventually befriend Remus Lupin and Peter Pettigrew. These four Gryffindor students would go on to form the Marauders, and would become notable for their rule-breaking and mischief-making. They would also spend time bullying their sworn enemy Severus Snape, and would go on to create the Marauder's Map which Harry Potter would use during his time at Hogwarts.
Each of the Marauders were not only powerful wizards, but they were also shapeshifters. Lupin was a werewolf, and the rest of the Marauders would become Animagi to assist Lupin in his transformations. They often snuck away to the Shrieking Shack during these monthly transformations, and constantly explored the grounds at night.
Eventually, the four of them were embroiled in the First Wizarding War against Voldemort's army. They joined up with the original Order of the Phoenix, but Peter Pettigrew would ultimately betray his friends. In an effort to save himself, he told Voldemort where Lily and James Potters' cottage was, and the two of them were killed protecting Harry Potter. Sirius Black was framed for murder and thrown in Azkaban, and Lupin was left with no one to turn to.
The Marauders appear throughout Harry Potter, and they play a major role in the Second Wizarding War. Fans have learned about their past through brief glimpses, but they have never really been able to see it in its entirety. These four characters are very important parts of the Wizarding World story, and a story focused on them is long overdue. While Warner Bros. may have plans for them, it currently seems like it will be up to a Hogwarts Legacy sequel to finally let fans see this story unfold.
Putting players in control of pre-existing characters may not be what Hogwarts Legacy is about, but it would be a great way to expand this franchise. It was fun exploring Hogwarts through the eyes of a custom character, but that novelty will only be fun for so long. If every sequel copies that same template then the franchise could quickly grow stale. However, if Avalanche Software told a canon story that fans have yet to see in detail, then it may have another hit on its hands.
Fans have been waiting to see the Marauders' story play out ever since they were first introduced in the novels. An exploration of their story is long overdue, and gaming may be the best place for it. If Warner Bros. will not do it, then hopefully Avalanche Software will.
Hogwarts Legacy is available now on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S, with PS4 and Xbox One versions launching May 5 and a Switch port releasing July 25.