A much-loved book and movie series is making its way to television amid great anticipation. However, even before its premiere, controversy is brewing around the show, potentially becoming a significant issue and headline for Warner Bros. Discovery WBD, the media company behind it.
What Happened: Warner Bros. Discovery recently announced the transition of its streaming platform HBO Max to Max, a move that will combine content from the company with Discovery+.
One of the flagship new series that will launch on Max is a television adaptation of the bestselling Harry Potter books, written by J.K. Rowling.
The new series will see the seven Harry Potter books written by Rowling, each serving as a season of the multi-decade show.
“Max’s commitment to preserving the integrity of my books is important to me,” said Rowling, who will serve as a producer. “I’m looking forward to being part of this new adaptation which will allow for a degree of depth and detail only afforded by a long form television series.”
Warner Bros. executives said the potential budget for the Harry Potter series could compare to that of “Game of Thrones” and “House of the Dragon.”
The show announcement comes after years of speculation and around a week after a leak suggested a new series with a new cast could be coming.
The seven books were previously adapted into eight blockbuster movies, which have grossed $7.7 billion globally at the box office. The series also gave way to the “Fantastic Beasts” spinoff movies, a Broadway play, and has been a staple of the Universal Studios theme parks from Comcast Corporation CMCSA.
Related Link: Harry Potter And Game Of Thrones Shows In One Place, Get Ready For Max
The Controversy: Warner Bros. Discovery could have a controversy on its hands that mirrors recent events surrounding Bud Light, a beer brand owned by AB InBev BUD.
Bud Light has sparked backlash due to its relationship with trans activist Dylan Mulvaney, who is set to be featured on cans of beer.
Mulvaney announced a partnership with Bud Light on TikTok, which upset many people, including Kid Rock, Travis Tritt and other musicians who were previously big fans of the beer.
Calls for boycotts of Bud Light and other AB InBev brands have risen by celebrities and beer drinkers as they see the inclusion of Mulvaney as part of “woke culture.”
Warner Bros. Discovery finds themselves on the other side of the aisle with the inclusion of Rowling being attached to the project, which comes after many find her comments on sex and gender to be inappropriate.
Rowling has said that she does not recognize trans women as women or trans men as men, and has been increasingly vocal about her opinions on social media.
In 2020, Rowling tweeted about trans people.
“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 here to speak the truth.”
Rowling also has responded to those who oppose her views, even once telling a fan who asked how she sleeps at night knowing she’s lost a whole audience from buying her books, “I read my most recent royalty cheques and find the pain goes away pretty quickly.”
Many Harry Potter actors have distanced themselves from Rowling and her involvement with Harry Potter. While the new series will have a new cast, the comments from Rowling could limit the involvement of past film stars appearing in cameo roles or helping promote the show.
A 20th anniversary special of the first movie that aired on HBO Max in 2021 featured many of the stars of the films, with Rowling notably absent from involvement or being interviewed.
When the Harry Potter themed video game “Hogwarts Legacy” was released by Warner Bros. Games, it faced backlash and calls for boycotts due to its ties to Harry Potter and Rowling.
The video game saw strong sales, perhaps suggesting the calls for a boycott were minimized and Harry Potter remains a strong brand even with Rowling’s name attached.
While announcing the new Harry Potter series, HBO executives dodged questions about the involvement of Rowling in the new show, according to Variety.
HBO Chairman Casey Bloys was asked about Rowling’s involvement in the question and answer segment and how it could affect the ability to find talent to cast in the series.
“No, I don’t think this is the forum. That’s a very online conversation, very unnuanced and complicated and not something we’re going to get into,” Bloys said. “Our priority is what’s on the screen.”
Bloys confirmed that Rowling is an executive producer of the series, and her insights will be helpful on the content for the screen.
“Obviously, the Harry Potter story is incredibly affirmative and positive and about love and self-acceptance. That’s our priority.”
Read Next: A Ranking Of The Box Office Of The Harry Potter Films
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