Former fans are so furious with J.K. Rowling that they’re trying to cancel her from her own creative endeavors. But in the case of the Harry Potter retrospective “Return to Hogwarts,” those attempts have proven unsuccessful.
Rumors began when promotions for the 20th anniversary TV event seemed to exclude Rowling, a move many believed was intentional because of what a controversial figure the children’s book author has become. In 2020, Rowling penned an essay that criticized aspects of the trans movement and led to her being labeled a “TERF” – a “trans-exclusionary radical feminist.”
The “Harry Potter” creator has leftist political views but maintains an adamant stance against many trans policies. Due to her refusal to apologize or change her mind, Rowling has been mostly ostracized from mainstream Hollywood. All this drama puts “Harry Potter” fans in a difficult position.
There’s a good chance “Return to Hogwarts” promoters intentionally excluded Rowling from the trailers released so far. But now it appears the millionaire author will be part of the project. New York Post reported that Rowling is featured in a new trailer for the 20th anniversary special of the beloved “Harry Potter” movies. During the newly released clip, “Harry Potter” cast members are discussing the impact Rowling had on all their lives.
“So many people were falling in love with J.K. Rowling’s writing,” actress Bonnie Wright says in the clip.
“I think it’s very easy to forget that at the time, people were talking about ‘the death of reading,’” Daniel Radcliffe, who played Harry Potter, agreed.
Robbie Coltrane, who played Hagrid, echoes that sentiment. “One of the many reasons I admire J.K. so much is that millions now read books who would never have lifted a book up in their lives, and you suddenly realize the power of writing,” he said. It’s worth noting that Coltrane defended Rowling’s “trans-phobic” comments while most other cast members did not.
Earlier this year, a real-life Quidditch league chose to disassociate from the author despite the fact that she made up the game in “Harry Potter.” This came on the heels of yet another tweet Rowling sent out questioning a new law in Scotland which would allow male rapists to be called women if they self-identified as trans.
Rowling said in a tweet, “War is Peace. Freedom is Slavery. Ignorance is Strength. The Penised Individual Who Raped You Is a Woman,” in reference to George Orwell’s book “1984.”
Here’s an excerpt from the original essay Rowling wrote that began all the trouble.
But, as many women have said before me, “woman” is not a costume. “Woman” is not an idea in a man’s head. “Woman” is not a pink brain, a liking for Jimmy Choos or any of the other sexist ideas now somehow touted as progressive. Moreover, the “inclusive” language that calls female people “menstruators” and “people with vulvas” strikes many women as dehumanising and demeaning. I understand why trans activists consider this language to be appropriate and kind, but for those of us who’ve had degrading slurs spat at us by violent men, it’s not neutral, it’s hostile and alienating.
A full link to the essay can be found here.
“Return to Hogwarts” premieres January 1 on HBO Max and stars most of the leading actors from the film. Rowling will be part of the project, though the extent of her involvement is still unknown.