John Lithgow Says He ‘Absolutely' Didn't Expect Any J.K. Rowling Backlash After Joining HBO's ‘Harry Potter' Series: ‘Why Is This a Factor?'
John Lithgow is opening up about how fans feel about him joining HBO's 'Harry Potter' series, considering the involvement of the contentious franchise creator J.K. Rowling.
In a sit-down with The Times of London, Lithgow said he has received some backlash for joining HBO's 'Harry Potter' because of Rowling's controversial comments about the transgender community. The 'Conclave' star said it was something he 'absolutely' did not expect, and was thinking more about his age when he accepted the role.
More from Variety
David Tennant Wishes J.K. Rowling 'No Ill Will,' But Hope She Will 'Get Out of People's Way' In the Transgender Community: 'Let People Be'
Pedro Pascal Slams J.K. Rowling as a 'Heinous Loser' for Anti-Trans Rhetoric, Supports 'Harry Potter' Boycott
Nicola Coughlan Says She 'Wouldn't Touch' New 'Harry Potter' Series 'With a 10 Foot Pole' After J.K. Rowling Celebrates U.K. Ruling on Trans Women
'Of course, it was a big decision because it's probably the last major role I'll play,' Lithgow said. 'It's an eight-year commitment so I was just thinking about mortality and that this is a very good winding-down role.'
Lithgow added that 'a very good friend who is the mother of a trans child' sent him an open letter entitled 'An Open Letter to John Lithgow: Please Walk Away from Harry Potter' after he picked up the role.
'That was the canary in the coal mine,' he said. Lithgow went on to ponder why Rowling's past comments should affect the project.
'I thought, 'Why is this a factor at all?' I wonder how J.K. Rowling has absorbed it,' Lithgow said. 'I suppose at a certain point I'll meet her, and I'm curious to talk to her.'
When asked if the backlash has made him reconsider the role, Lithgow said, 'Oh, heavens no.'
Back in 2020, Rowling posted a series of social media posts claiming that the existence of transgender people 'erased' the 'lived reality of women.' Shortly after, film stars Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson and Rupert Grint issued statements opposing her opinions.
Shortly after HBO's 'Harry Potter' was unveiled, HBO chief Casey Bloys told the media that Rowling was 'very, very involved in the process selecting the writer and the director,' and her anti-trans sentiments 'haven't affected the casting or hiring of writers or production staff' for the series.
Best of Variety
What's Coming to Netflix in May 2025
New Movies Out Now in Theaters: What to See This Week
What's Coming to Disney+ in May 2025
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Buzz Feed
3 hours ago
- Buzz Feed
Lilo & Stitch Director Responds To Ending Backlash
Spoilers follow for Lilo & Stitch. At this point, the live-action remake of Lilo & Stitch has made so much money that, if you're reading this, it's possible you've seen it twice. You're also probably aware that the remake makes a lot of changes to the original plot of the 2002 animated film — and that people aren't happy about the biggest change to the ending, which sees Nani leave Lilo behind in Hawaii to study marine biology in San Diego. In a new interview with Variety, the remake's director Dean Fleischer Camp addressed the backlash towards the film's ending for the first time. "I've had some time to think about this," he said. "I do think that a fair amount of the people who are dunking on that premise have not actually seen the movie, and they write me stuff that is clearly wrong. They get the beats of the story wrong. But when you see it doesn't feel that way at all, and you see the intent of the actual filmmaking." "There are two larger conversations going on that led us towards that ending. We wanted to expand the meaning of ohana, and ground it in traditional Hawaiian values of collectivism, extended family and community. [Screenwriter Chris Kekaniokalani Bright], who's Hawaiian, made a really important observation about the original early on in our discussions. He didn't buy that the two orphan sisters would just be left to fend for themselves. He said, 'Neighbors, church groups, aunties and uncles, all these people would step in. That's just the Hawaii I know and grew up in.'" "That led him to create this character of Tutu, and she ultimately takes Lilo in as hanai, which is this culturally specific term and tradition that is a form of informal adoption. It isn't about blood or paperwork, but love and responsibility for the greater good and for one's community." Dean went on to say that Hawaiians who have seen the film "love" the reference to hanai, which is "this uniquely Hawaiian answer to the question of who shows up when things fall apart, and that idea of informal adoption. It shows the broader community's willingness to sacrifice and do whatever it takes for these girls and for their ohana." He also pointed out the difficulty of aiming to "satisfy everyone" when it comes to remaking beloved properties like Lilo & Stitch. "You are treading on hallowed ground when you make one of these, because these are films people grew up with, and I'm one of them, and I totally understand it. But we didn't want to just restage the beats of the original film, as much as we both loved it." "We wanted to tell a story that's honest about what it means to lose everything and still find a way forward. People do get left behind, like what Nani says, this is, and it's incumbent upon the community to make sure that they aren't forgotten." You can read the entire interview here.
Gizmodo
4 hours ago
- Gizmodo
DC Studios May Have a Movie-Free SDCC This Year
If you were hoping to learn more about DC Studios' future movie slate at this year's San Diego Comic-Con, that might not be in the cards. We recently learned Marvel Studios wasn't planning on having a Hall H panel for this year's San Diego Comic-Con. Now, it sounds like DC Studios is going to follow suit, at least for the cinematic side of its business. In the Hollywood Reporter's recent Heat Vision newsletter, the outlet claims DC isn't looking to show off anything for Superman or Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow during the annual festivities. The former will have been out for two weeks by that point, and the latter isn't due for almost a full year later, not to mention other projects like The Batman Part II or The Authority seemingly haven't hit any real progress yet. As such, the studio is reportedly 'biding its time before making any reveals.' What will be at SDCC this year, however, is Peacemaker. The HBO Max series' second season is dropping in mid-August, so DC Studios is said to be going 'all in,' said Heat Vision. 'Peacemaker will have a big footprint at the convention. […] And, while DC had no comment, there could be a Hall H panel for the show.' Lanterns, the other big DC show for HBO Max, is currently in production. Depending on how far along things are, it could potentially make an appearance of some kind. San Diego Comic-Con runs July 24-27, and we'll have more information on what DC Studios plans to do for the event in the coming weeks. [via IGN]
Business Upturn
5 hours ago
- Business Upturn
IT: Welcome to Derry – Release date, cast, plot and everything we know so far
By Aman Shukla Published on June 8, 2025, 18:39 IST Last updated June 8, 2025, 18:58 IST The terrifying world of Stephen King's IT is expanding with IT: Welcome to Derry , an upcoming HBO series that dives into the sinister origins of Pennywise the Dancing Clown. Set as a prequel to the blockbuster films IT (2017) and IT Chapter Two (2019), this series promises to unravel the chilling history of Derry, Maine, and its most infamous resident. Here's everything we know so far about IT: Welcome to Derry , including release date speculation, cast details, plot insights, and more. Release Date Speculation for IT: Welcome to Derry IT: Welcome to Derry is slated to premiere in fall 2025 on HBO and Max, though an exact release date remains unconfirmed. Initially, the series was targeted for a Halloween 2024 debut, but delays caused by the 2023 WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes pushed production back, shifting the release to 2025. Recent updates suggest a potential October 2025 premiere, aligning with the spooky season, which would be fitting for a horror series of this caliber. Production wrapped in August 2024, and with post-production underway, fans can expect more precise details closer to the release. Cast of IT: Welcome to Derry The series boasts a talented ensemble, blending new faces with a familiar terror. Here's a breakdown of the confirmed cast: Bill Skarsgård as Pennywise : The standout star of the IT films returns to reprise his iconic role as the shape-shifting demon clown. Skarsgård, who initially expressed hesitation about returning due to the role's intensity, will also serve as an executive producer, ensuring continuity with the films. His chilling performance is a major draw for fans. Main Cast : Taylour Paige ( Zola , Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F ): A lead role, though character details remain undisclosed. Jovan Adepo ( 3 Body Problem , The Leftovers ): Expected to play a pivotal role, possibly tied to the Hanlon family, given references to Will Hanlon in some sources. Chris Chalk ( Gotham , Perry Mason ): Another series regular, adding depth to the ensemble. James Remar ( Dexter , Black Lightning ): Known for intense roles, his character is yet to be revealed. Stephen trasferimento ( Daredevil ): Joins as a series regular, bringing his dramatic chops to Derry's horrors. Plot Details for IT: Welcome to Derry IT: Welcome to Derry is set in 1962, 27 years before the events of IT (2017), aligning with Pennywise's cyclical awakening every 27 years. The series draws inspiration from the 'interludes' in Stephen King's IT novel, which detail Mike Hanlon's research into Derry's dark history through interviews with older residents. These interludes chronicle catastrophic events tied to Pennywise's reign, such as the burning of the Black Spot, a nightclub for Black residents, which serves as a central event in Season 1. Where to Watch IT: Welcome to Derry IT: Welcome to Derry will premiere on HBO and stream exclusively on Max in the United States. In the UK, it's expected to air on Sky and NOW, consistent with HBO's distribution patterns. A Max subscription will be required to stream the series, which will drop its nine episodes weekly starting in fall 2025. Aman Shukla is a post-graduate in mass communication . A media enthusiast who has a strong hold on communication ,content writing and copy writing. Aman is currently working as journalist at
