2 months ago
John Lithgow says JK Rowling’s arguable views connected nan transgender community person been “twisted and misrepresented” arsenic backlash continues to swirl astir HBO’s upcoming “Harry Potter” series.
Lithgow — who is group to play Hogwarts headmaster Albus Dumbledore successful nan “Harry Potter and nan Philosopher’s Stone” TV reboot — believes nan guidance to Rowling’s comments hasn’t ever been accurate, contempt him disagreeing pinch overmuch of what she has said.
Speaking to The New Yorker Radio Hour, nan 80-year-old character revealed he was urged to measurement distant from nan project, but “I was not astir do that.”
“I conscionable felt nan reasons to do it were much, overmuch stronger than nan reasons to protestation against what Rowling has done and said,” he said.
“I do disagree pinch overmuch of it. Much of it I deliberation has been twisted and represented, and she has benignant of doubled down connected it astatine her ain cost.”
Explaining why he took connected nan role, Lithgow said: “There was everything charismatic astir nan occupation and occupation information into my precocious years. You know, you don’t disregard those issues.
“The full taxable of Rowling’s imputed prejudice, it came up benignant of aft everything was already underway. I’d already said yes.”
The “Giant” prima besides emphasized that nan imaginative squad — not Rowling — drew him in.
“I person not met her,” he said, adding that showrunner Francesca Gardiner “persuaded me, she’s nan large logic I took it on.”
Still, he didn’t clasp backmost his individual guidance to nan author’s rhetoric, saying he has been “surprised and disappointed” by nan reside of her societal media posts.
Earlier this year, Lithgow struck a akin statement while speaking astatine nan Rotterdam Film Festival, wherever he called Rowling’s views “ironic and inexplicable” while stressing nan books themselves show a very different story.
“In ‘Potter’ canon, you spot nary trace of transphobic sensitivity,” he said. “She’s written this meditation of kindness and acceptance. And Dumbledore is simply a beautiful role.”
The statement has besides dispersed done Hollywood, pinch Andrew Garfield precocious referring to Rowling arsenic “she that shall stay nameless” and accusing her of supporting “inhumane” causes.
“I cognize it’s, like, controversial. And, like, we shouldn’t be, you know, putting money successful nan pouch of inhumane authorities correct now done she that shall stay nameless,” Garfield told Hits Radio, referencing Voldemort, nan “Harry Potter” villain known arsenic “He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named.”
“But nan psyche and nan tone of a batch of nan principle of nan themes of those films and nan kids are truthful good,” he added. “We can’t propulsion nan babe retired pinch nan bathwater, location are truthful galore beautiful artists who worked connected those films.”
Rowling’s outspoken views connected transgender issues person driven a wedge betwixt nan writer and several stars of nan original films.
Last May, Rowling penned a scathing essay erstwhile aggregate “Harry Potter” actors signed a pro-trans unfastened letter after nan UK Supreme Court ruled that nan position “woman” and “sex” mention strictly to a biologic female and biologic sex.
She described nan actors — among them being Eddie Redmayne, Paapa Essiedu and Katie Leung — arsenic “back-stabbing colleagues” who she said are “motivated by fear.”
The HBO bid has already led to death threats aimed astatine Essiedu aft he was announced arsenic Severus Snape, prompting heightened information astir nan production.
Rowling has continued to champion nan reboot, precocious replying to a instrumentality who praised early footage: “It’s going to beryllium incredible. I’m truthful happy pinch it.”
The caller “Harry Potter” bid is expected to debut complete Christmas 2026 connected HBO and watercourse connected HBO Max.
