The shadowy gloom that set in after J.K. Rowling’s comments on June 6, 2020, has forever marked the legacy of Harry Potter and stained the memory it holds for those who have been devoted to the literary and cinematic franchise for decades. In light of this fact, the upcoming series that has now been put in development by Warner Bros. Discovery chief, David Zaslav, comes face-to-face with a dilemma – both for the production as well as the audience.
Harry Potter Fans Disappointed at Warner Bros. Discovery
The Harry Potter series is finally moving forward 12 years after the end of the final film in the eponymous series. After a long and worthwhile wait, the recent merger that Warner Bros. went through in April 2022 put some things in perspective for the 100-year-old company. One of the necessary steps was to bring back its most precious IPs into production again. But without J.K. Rowling serving as the executive producer, the legal implications to go through with the reboot is difficult to consider for the studio.
Hashing over the past, however, is not a seemingly easy decision for the audience to make. The British author’s remarks on Twitter regarding the existence of transgender women have weighed heavily on people across the globe.
If sex isn’t real, there’s no same-sex attraction. If sex isn’t real, the lived reality of women globally is erased. I know and love trans people, but erasing the concept of sex removes the ability of many to meaningfully discuss their lives. It isn’t hate to speak the truth.
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) June 6, 2020
I respect every trans person’s right to live any way that feels authentic and comfortable to them. I’d march with you if you were discriminated against on the basis of being trans. At the same time, my life has been shaped by being female. I do not believe it’s hateful to say so.
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) June 6, 2020
The comments caused widespread disruption worldwide with people loudly and actively standing up and speaking out against the author. Within months, the stars of the Harry Potter film franchise, including Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, Rupert Grint, and Tom Felton have expressed their shame and disappointment at the author for her comments which have widely been considered transphobic.
Fans Clap Back at WBD Including JK Rowling as Exec at MAX
The new Harry Potter series that is coming to Max – the renamed streaming service that was previously known as HBO Max – has placed J.K. Rowling at the centerfold as its executive producer. And fans have been responding to the decision since it was announced by Warner Bros. While her tweets have become famously criticized over the years, the author herself serving as a decision-making authority within the Max reboot has been deemed a threat to the identities of many among the fandom.
As such, netizens have taken to Twitter to express their opinions on the subject matter:
Is it going to feature more stereotypes and micro aggressions as well? Because we all know JKR LOVES those 😒. pic.twitter.com/OjbS7BBw9r
— Miranda Miller (@mrandamiller517) April 15, 2023
I hope they keep the anti Semitic goblin trope, because that wasn't at all offensive.
— C. Blake Campbell (@cbcampbell) April 15, 2023
PLEASE include a trans character.🤣
— Prime (@OptimistPrime99) April 15, 2023
God forbid. The trolls will have fits.
— Randy (@RandySF45) April 15, 2023
Everyone is going to be non binary and have some form of neurodivergence and I am here for it.
— Emmerson 🏴🇧🇧 (@djrustynail) April 15, 2023
The announced series is at its nascent stage now. The casting has not yet begun but by the look of things, the studio is essentially prioritizing the sentiments of the larger community by announcing its decision to feature a more diverse cast than the largely cisgender white roster of the film franchise. The original trio from the Harry Potter movies have yet to comment on the latest development and whether the series can pave a path toward the production of a long-anticipated ninth Harry Potter film remains, unfortunately, a mystery.
The Harry Potter film series is available for streaming at Max.
Source: Twitter
