News of a fresh attempt to adapt J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series over on HBO Max has fans — and former fans — of the fantasy franchise divided.
Despite Rowling’s vocal trans-exclusionary viewpoints, the Harry Potter books and movies hold a special place in many people’s hearts. They’re not interested in lining Rowling’s pockets anymore, but many people work to separate previously-released Harry Potter properties from the woman who created the world.
With a fresh series on the way, fans aren’t quite sure how to feel. The issue of Rowling’s direct involvement with the series, paired with the logistical hurdles of modern television and allegations of queerphobia, are all weighing down a series that no one asked for in the first place.
Thankfully, the impending release of Renfield offers at least a minor distraction from the unceasing Rowling drama. The vampire flick has officially been dubbed the John Wick of the vampire world, quickly elevating it to one of the most-anticipated releases of the month.
Renfield earns high praise in comparisons to John Wick
Nic Cage is already well-known for his contributions to the wealth of vampire content out there — if you’ve never seen it, stop everything and watch Vampire’s Kiss immediately — and it seems Renfield is poised to join the 1988 classic in the history books. The film is already drawing comparisons to the massively successful John Wick franchise, leaving its fellow horror offerings, set to arrive throughout the summer, facing some seriously fierce competition.
HBO’s Harry Potter series faces some major hurdles
The announcement by HBO Max that it intends to re-adapt J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series is being met by broad backlash, as the wealth of issues that saddle the franchise once again rise to the surface. There’s the issue of the move coming too soon — we really don’t need a new Harry Potter story, the last franchise ended just over a decade ago — the overarching issue of J.K. Rowling’s transphobia, and now a new problem has been flagged by skeptical viewers. The fresh television model that’s become an increasing norm across platforms and stations really doesn’t suit a series like Harry Potter, which all but demands each season be released a year apart, so that audiences can “grow up” with the beloved characters. With a story as technically challenging as Harry Potter, this necessity is unlikely to be met, leaving HBO Max with increasingly over-old actors in teenage roles.
HBO Max hit with accusations of queerphobia over Harry Potter series
It’s not the Harry Potter series itself that’s pushing people to label HBO Max, now known as simply Max, as queerphobic, but the platform’s seeming elevation of the upcoming series over established favorites like Our Flag Means Death. The delightful pirate rom-com is returning for a second season, but Max is shoving any information on the LGBTQ+ series aside to make space for yet another Harry Potter offering. The fact that Rowling is a known transphobe certainly doesn’t help the optics.