Dharma
HBO defends JK Rowling’s involvement in Harry Potter series despite problematic stance on transgender community
JK Rowling, whose Harry Potter book franchise gave Warner Bros a blockbuster film franchise, is also associated with its upcoming HBO series.
JK Rowling has remained decidedly steadfast on her controversial stance on the transgender community. In a statement to Variety, HBO explained why the author is still involved in its upcoming series on Harry Potter despite her problematic gender politics. (Also Read: This Oscar-nominated actor lost out on Luna Lovegood role in Harry Potter, says how it ‘stayed with me over the years’)
What HBO said
“We are proud to once again tell the story of Harry Potter — the heartwarming books that speak to power of friendship, resolve and acceptance. JK Rowling has a right to express her personal views. We will remain focused on the development of the new series, which will only benefit from her involvement,” HBO’s statement stated.
It also added that its parent company Warner Bros “been working with JK Rowling and in the Harry Potter business for over 20 years” and “her contribution has been invaluable.” The report also states that HBO chief Casey Bloys informed the media at an event on November 12 that JK Rowling was “very, very involved in the process selecting the writer and the director,” and her anti-trans statements “haven’t affected the casting or hiring of writers or productions staff.”
A couple of days before that, Rowling had shared a screenshot of a tweet by an X user who wrote, “My disappointment is immeasurable and my day is ruined” when the author had revealed that she’s “very involved” in the Harry Potter series. Rowling wrote along with the screenshot, “I’ve only just seen this response to me saying I’m very involved in the Harry Potter TV show and I think I’ve pulled something laughing.”
About Harry Potter series
Warner Bros launched an open casting call for the leads Harry, Hermoine and Ron, who were played by Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson and Rupert Grint, respectively, in the eight-part movie franchise.
The series will most likely go ahead with newcomers for the top three characters and mix it with veterans for the adult cast, like the movie franchise, which featured Richard Harris as Dumbledore and roped in Michael Gambon after his death. Late star Maggie Smith played Professor McGonagall, and Alan Rickman starred as Professor Snape.
Mark Rylance, 64, who won an Academy Award for best supporting actor in 2016 for his work in Steven Spielberg’s Bridge of Spies, is reportedly at the top of the casting wishlist to play Dumbledore in the Harry Potter series.
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Allu Arjun
Pushpa 2 The Rule advance booking tracking better than RRR, Jawan in the US; crosses $1.4 million with 10 days to go
Pushpa 2 The Rule has already crossed $1.4 million in advance bookings in North America even though the release is 10 days away.
Allu Arjun‘s Pushpa 2: The Rule is still nine days from its theatrical release but is already breaking box office records. The film is set for a grand release worldwide, and if its US pre-sales are any indication, it will likely get a bumper opening. The film is already tracking better than blockbusters like RRR and Jawan in the US. (Also read: Pushpa 2 trailer reactions: Allu Arjun fans predict blockbuster, cheer for Fahadh Faasil’s entry scene)
Pushpa 2’s US tsunami
On Monday, trade tracker Venky Box Office shared the film’s advance booking collections for its US premiere. Taking to X (formerly Twitter), the trade analyst tweeted, “#Pushpa2TheRule USA Premiere Advance Sales: $1,383,949 – 900 Locations – 3420 Shows – 50008 Tickets Sold.”
By Sunday evening, Pushpa 2 had sold over 50,000 tickets in the US, with the release 10 days away. The tweet added that North American advance booking collections had crossed $1.458 million (around ₹12 crore), ‘which is a record’.
Trade analysts say that the film is set to cross $1.5 million with nine days to go, which means it is outpacing SS Rajamouli’s RRR and Shah Rukh Khan-starrer Jawan, the two biggest Indian movies in the US in recent times. Both films grossed over $15 million each in North America and are among the top five highest-grossing Indian films in the continent. Pushpa 2 is matching the pace of Shah Rukh’s other 2023 blockbuster, Pathaan, and is just behind the all-time record holder for India in the US – Baahubali 2 (which earned $20 million in the territory).
All about Pushpa 2: The Rise
Directed by Sukumar, Pushpa 2: The Rise is the sequel to the director’s 2021 pan-India hit Pushpa: The Rise. It brings back Allu Arjun as the titular anti-hero, alongside Rashmika Mandanna and Fahadh Fassil. The film, touted to be one of the biggest Indian productions ever, is set to hit the screens on December 5.
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