Fans of Harry Potter are outraged against the potential HBO reboot and are taking to the internet to rally against it.
The project in question refers to the possible Harry Potter reboot series being discussed at HBO. The series would be about seven seasons long, each centered around one of the books. However, nothing is official yet, and discussions are only in the early stages.
Harry Potter Fans Rally Against a Reboot
As soon as the reported reboot was announced, fans immediately jumped online to air their grievances. Many were angered that author J.K. Rowling would be raking in more revenue from the project. Others expressed frustration at what they view as an unnecessary and tacky addition to the franchise, arguing that the seven books and eight films perfectly wrapped up the series.
J.K. Rowling's Transphobic Comments Deter Harry Potter Fans
Rowling has faced criticism in recent years for many transphobic comments and actions. Although Rowling has rejected such a label, that has not stopped former fans of hers from rallying against her, with many calling for a boycott of all Harry Potter-themed products so as not to support the author.
Many readers have criticized Rowling for what they perceive as bringing her transphobia and victimhood into her other works. In late 2020, Rowling released Troubled Blood (the fifth book in her Cormoran Strike series, which she wrote as Robert Galbraith), telling the story of a male serial killer who dresses in women's clothing in order to kill women. The book faced substantial backlash from trans rights activists. In August 2022, she released the sixth book in the series, The Ink Black Heart, which tells the story of a female author accused of being transphobic and eventually murdered.
Recent Harry Potter Adaptations
Most recently, many trans rights activists have taken grievance with -- and openly called for a boycott of -- the Hogwarts Legacy video game, which released on PlayStation, Windows, and Xbox in February 2023. Despite the campaign, Hogwarts Legacy became highly successful, selling over 12 million copies within the first two weeks.
Should HBO officially green-light the Harry Potter reboot, it would not be the only Harry Potter-themed project to come out in recent years. Warner Bros. has released three Fantastic Beasts films, all of which Rowling wrote, with the last two receiving scathing reviews from critics. The sequel play, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, is currently running at its flagship Palace Theatre in London.
HBO Max has removed all eight films from their catalog. However, all eight movies are currently available to stream on Peacock.
Source: Twitter