JK Rowling and the “Harry Potter” stars: Chronicle of a dispute

“Harry Potter” not only accompanied and touched millions of children and adults, but also only made numerous film stars to those they are today. The main actors of the films, Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson and Rupert Grint, are now stone and world famous. But with the creator of the magical world of the sorcerer’s apprentice, they are no longer green.

The reason is Joanne K. Rowling’s attitude in the trans-debate and her statements in this regard in recent years. The author is referred to by many as “Terf”, as a “trans-Exclusionary Radical Feminist”-a feminist who excludes trans women. The term is omnipresent in the gender debate. The word gender serves to be able to distinguish between the biological gender (sex) and social gender (gender). Again and again Rowling uses her platforms – mainly X, formerly Twitter – to speak out against shared public spaces. Transmen who are accommodated in a women’s prison are also unacceptable for Rowling.

Now Emma Watson was asked again about Rowling and reacted in the podcast of moderator Jay Shetty. “I really don’t think that the experiences I have had Lovethe support and the views I have mean that I (…) not Could appreciate, “she said a little cumbersome. Rowling reacted and said Watson’s statement was” a U -turn that she probably did because she noticed that a loud condemnation of my person is no longer as popular as before “.

She also explained that she grew up in poverty compared to Watson and “Harry Potter“wrote when she hardly had any financial resources. Watson, on the other hand, grew up so privileged that she could never understand some points of view.

In the past, Rowling always referred to her own history to justify her attitude. Your fear has a reason. In her first Before I experienced domestic violence, she once wrote in an essay. She had kept the sexual abuse and attacks to herself for a long time to protect her daughter. But she is a survivor and wants to explain herself. “The scars that have left violence and sexual assault do not disappear, regardless of how much you are loved and how much money you have made,” wrote Rowling.

Within the “Harry Potter” world there has been a clear trend in recent years. The younger ones among the stars were increasingly strong for trans women. “Transmen are women,” said Daniel Radcliffe 2020. “Every opposite statement negates the identity and dignity of transgender persons and contradicts all recommendations of professional health associations that have far more specialist knowledge on this topic than [J. K.] Or I “, said Radcliffe.

In the same year Watson wrote at X: “Transpersons are the ones they say they are and deserve to live their lives without constantly questioning or teaching. ”

Rupert Grint, who plays in the films Ron Weasley, said the British “Times” about Rowling: “I think that she is extremely talented. I mean, her works are clearly aware. But I also think that you can very respect someone and still do not agree with such things.”

Bonnie Wright, who embodies Grint’s sister in the films, also stood on the side of trans people. “If ‘Harry Potter’ For you there was a source of love and belonging, then this love is infinite and is available to you without prejudice or questions. Transmen are women, “she said.

Above all, the older stars of the series showed themselves a little more conciliatory with the author. Jason Isaacs, who plays Lucius Malfoy, did not want to go into the debate in detail, but told the “Telegraph”: “I know, I play complicated people, I am interested in complicated people. I don’t want to get involved and talk about transgender topics, because that is an extraordinarily sensitive topic. She has her opinion in many areas.”

Meanwhile, Ralph Fiennes was outraged by hatred that Rowling struck on the net. “JK Rowling wrote these great books about empowerment about how small children find themselves as humans,” said Fiennes about the “New York Times”. “It’s about how to become a better, stronger and morally more balanced person. The verbal attacks against them are disgusting, they are terrible.”

The now deceased “Hagrid” actor Robbie Coltrane vehemently defended the author of the fantasy books during lifetime. “I don’t think that what she said was really offensive,” he said British media before his death. And further: “I don’t know why, but there is a whole generation of people who are just waiting to be insulted. (…) That is my way of talking like a grumpy old man. But you just think: just think: ‘Oh, come down. Become reasonable, stand straight and keep going'”, said Coltrane. Helena Bonham Carter also emphasized that Rowling could have her own opinion.

Rowling himself has repeatedly responded to the statements of her former protégés Radcliffe, Grint and Watson. It was only in March of this year that she answered the question of a user “Which actor/which actress immediately ruins you a film?” Rowling answer: “You can advise you three times. I’m sorry, but that was just too tempting.”

In her most recent post on X, Rowling commented on her former protégés. “In particular, Emma and Dan have made it clear in recent years that they believe that our earlier professional connection will give them a special right-even the duty-to publicly criticize me and my views. Even years after they exit Potter, they continue to take the role of the de facto spokesmen for the world that I created,” she wrote and showed himself disappointed. “If you have known people since they are ten years old, it is difficult to take a certain protective preservation. Until recently, I hadn’t managed to shake the memory of children who had to be gently led through their dialogues in a large, scary film studio,” said Rowling.

“At fourteen I wasn’t a multimillionaire yet. I lived in poverty while I wrote the book that made Emma famous,” said Rowling.

So far, Watson has not responded to Rowling’s latest statements. One thing is certain: the author and the three main actors Radcliffe, Grint and Watson are probably connected to each other during lifetime and will therefore always have to move into position. The “Harry Potter” world is too big-not only for yourself, but also the fans.