HBO Max has announced plans to produce a TV series based on J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter books.
It’s only been a few hours since its announcement and it has already sparked controversy among fans and critics.
Max, formerly known as HBO Max, has given the green light to a highly anticipated TV series based on J.K. Rowling’s beloved and bestselling Harry Potter fantasy novels. This ambitious project aims to create a faithful and detailed adaptation that spans over 10 years, allowing for more in-depth storytelling compared to the previous Warner Bros. film adaptations.
In order to proceed with the series, Max had to secure a deal with Rowling, who retains significant control over the film rights to her stories. Rowling will be involved as an executive producer, although she is not expected to have day-to-day creative control or contribute to the writing. It’s worth noting that Rowling’s past statements about the trans community have been widely criticized as offensive by many.
Anticipating the controversy Casey Bloys, the chairman and CEO of HBO and Max, explained:
“J.K. is an executive producer, and her insights will be helpful … We are in the Harry Potter business. The TV show is new and exciting, but we’ve been in the Harry Potter business for 20 years; this isn’t a new decision. We’re comfortable being in the Potter business. J.K. is a very online conversation … It’s very nuanced and complicated and not something we’re going to get into. Our priority is what’s onscreen. The Harry Potter story is incredibly affirmative and positive about love and acceptance, and that’s our priority, what’s on the screen.”
Upon reading Bloys’ statement, instead of forgetting their concerns and adopting a wait-and-see approach, media professionals and fans reacted with disappointment and frustration. Here are some of their reactions:
Some fans react to J.K Rowling’s involvement in this way:
It remains uncertain whether the recent controversies surrounding J.K. Rowling’s views and involvement will significantly impact the show itself. A notable example is the release of the game Hogwarts Legacy in February, which faced backlash and calls for a boycott due to Rowling’s association, yet still achieved remarkable sales, selling 12 million copies in just two weeks. Another instance is the Fantastic Beasts film franchise, which was originally planned for five movies but was reduced to a trilogy due to declining box office performance. While ticket sales declined concurrently with the controversy surrounding Rowling’s views, it’s worth noting that the films also received negative reviews, with the second and third entries scoring under 50 percent on Rotten Tomatoes, making it challenging to solely attribute the downturn to the Rowling controversy.
Meanwhile, in a statement, Rowling stated:
“Max’s commitment to preserving the integrity of my books is important to me, and 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.”