Max, formerly known as HBO Max, recently announced that it was creating a Harry Potter show that will role out over 10 years, following JK Rowling’s seven-book series.
The Hollywood Reporter, describing the show and how it will differ from the famous, blockbuster movies by more faithfully following the full storyline of the beloved novels, said:
A Harry Potter TV series was greenlit by Max (formerly HBO Max) that will remake J.K. Rowling’s beloved bestselling fantasy novels into a “faithful” long-form series to roll out over a period of 10 years. The ambitious project will cast new leads and include far more detail from the seven novels, which were often rather truncated in their previous adaptations into Warner Bros. feature films, which launched with 2001’s Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone.
Well, that’s already sparked controversy among the usual suspects because J.K. Rowling is regarded as a “TERF,” or trans-exclusionary radical feminist, and as such doesn’t fully support the trans mania sweeping the Western world.
Surprisingly, however, Max stuck by her and its decision to bring her on to help with the show. Casey Bloys, chairman and CEO, HBO & Max Content, said:
“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.”
Rowling released a statement as well, saying, “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.”
While that’s a step in the right direction, one thing that isn’t clear is if the show and its new cast will actually reflect the British individuals in the books, or if the cast will be far more “diverse” than the books or movies, as was done to the Lord of the Rings in the Amazon Prime Lord of the Rings show. In other words, while the studio has claimed the show will be “faithful” to the books, it’s unclear if that’s just about plot or everything, including the predominantly white characters.
Regardless of all that, the left lost its mind on Twitter because Rowling will be working with Max for the show.
For example, a reporter named Sean Collins said, “If you interview an actor or filmmaker or executive involved with the Harry Potter tv show and don’t lead with a question about JK Rowling leading a hate group you’re done, over, out of the art club.”
Similarly, Vulture critic Kathryn VanArendonk said, “This faithful adaptation of harry potter, announced with absolutely bulls*** craven disdain for Rowling’s political impact, is bad.”
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