John Lithgow, the new HBO Dumbledore clearly speaks on the flood of criticisms for adhesion to the Harry Potter universe
JK Rowling’s dispute and the new Dumbledore
The figure of JK Rowling He was involved in disputes for his statements and public activities considered years transfobic For most of the LGBTQ+ community and its allies. Therefore, each new project connected to his work has to face growing resistance from fans and social groups. And now, he has touched Lithgow himself who deals with that cross fire.
In a recent interview with Times, Lithgow recognized that she received personal messages that asked him to give up the card. One of these included the article entitled “Open letter to John Lithgow: please leave Harry Potter”while another came from the mother of a minor trans. The actor described it as “The Canary in the mine”That first sign that something is going very badly.
Even so, he says he has no intention of getting off the Hogwarts train: “Oh, paradise, no“He replied when he asked him if he had felt discouraged by these reactions. Far from being amlant, he confesses to having accepted the role thinking he could be His last great performancesince the project requires a commitment Eight years. “It was an important decision because I was thinking about mortality … and this is a great way to close my career,” he explained.
Curiously, His decision caused particular disappointment between those who once admired him for interpreting a trans woman In The world according to Garp (1982), one of his most remembered actions.
A comparison that does not convince everyone
Lithgow also commented that, in the past, Roald Dahl incarnate author “Keep his anti -semician statements”, without anyone raising his voice. “Nobody complained when I agreed to play DahlBut now I receive many messages on Rowling. Isn’t it curious? “The actor reflected.
Although his comparison may seem logical from the outside, many critics indicate a crucial difference: Dahl has already died and does not benefit from his works economicallywhile rowling Yes, it continues to receive a millionaire income And, according to various organizations, part of that money feeds anti-trans causes in the United Kingdom.
The concern of the fans does not limit himself to the character of Dumbledore in himself – one of the few openly gay roles of the magical universe – but to the implicit message of continuing to collaborate with an increasingly questioned author.
A project that has already been born in the debate
Since HBO has announced the television restart of Harry PotterThe comments have not ceased. While there are those who celebrate the possibility of an adaptation more faithful to books, Others cannot look beyond the shadow that Rowling designs on the franchise. And this translates into direct pressure on the cast.
Today, Lithgow claims not to personally meet RowlingBut he does not exclude a future meeting: “I wonder how he absorbed all this. I suppose that at a certain point I will know her and I am curious to talk to her”.
A statement that may seem neutral, but also a certain disconnection with the current social context. For many trans people, talking about Rowling is not only a literary controversy, but a personal and political question.
Is it possible to separate the author from the work?
The eternal question that examines all this topic returns to the table: To what extent is it valid to enjoy a story when its creator is associated with harmful postures? For some, it consumes products from Harry Potter Today it is an act of complicity with an exclusive speech. For others, stories still have value for themselves, especially when new actors and creators can provide a more inclusive aspect.
What is clear is that The magical universe is no longer the unanimous refuge that was for an entire generation. Magic is still alive, but wrapped in very real dilemmas.