Fantasy A Harry Potter series for HBO?

[DarthSkywalker]

Fair enough. You folks seem pretty fired up in your genuine hatred of JK Rowling. I know she's made some comments that many deem atrocious and unforgivable. I get it. As a Potter fan I'm just hoping this doesn't detract from WB making good HP content. If they are smart, they'll ensure she doesn't inject any political opinions into her work so fans can just enjoy the content without getting beaten over the head with a political message.

It isn't her political opinions. It's her bigotry. But that you bring up such messaging in the work is interesting, when a big part of Potter's success is the general idea of inclusion no matter who you are. One of the big tragedies with all this has been how many trans people who say Potter as a safe haven, don't feel that way anymore, as Rowling has excluded them.

I know it may just be me, but I do find these conversations to be uncomfortable and genuinely frustrating, because trans people are treated like a "political position" in a way people of color and gay folk were in the past. Both still are of course, but it has become less fashionable to do so in overt ways in public.

So if you don't want to pass judgement, fine. But please stop deeming the abuse and othering of vulnerable people as a political opinion.

 

[writer0327]

Well, that's what it comes down to right there in the end. They want to have their cake and eat it too. WB/actors/producers can voice their disagreements with JK Rowling, but if they continue to profit from it, it's just empty words. WB will never stop milking this cash cow.

To be fair, even if George Lucas was found to have murdered puppies the past 30 years, Disney would release a statement how appalled they are while simultaneously announce 80 more Star Wars spinoffs.

Agreed. WB may be compelled to make a statement at some point. I guess that will all depend on JK and how much heat she's catching once the ball starts rolling on these series.

 

[DarthSkywalker]

People calling JK Rowling a bigot seriously need to wise up. The Harry Potter books were very progressive for their day and as a member of Generation Z I can say I speak for many people when I say that their philosophy has greatly influenced the values which my generation generally hold.

Which is exactly the issue with it. While the books aren't actually progressive (actually it's kind of racist and is getting more so as she adds more), that is how fans took them. And she has now confirmed she isn't that person.

Rowling is basically the kind of person who in the 80s would have been like, "oh, I love black people" while arguing against gay folk. Progress in one area usually leads to another vulnerable group being attacked in the place of the one which is no longer fashionable to attack in public.

Rowling likes to identify as a feminist, but it's hard to say that when she uses her position to drive a monster truck over vulnerable women.

 

[Primal Slayer]

People calling JK Rowling a bigot seriously need to wise up. The Harry Potter books were very progressive for their day and as a member of Generation Z I can say I speak for many people when I say that their philosophy has greatly influenced the values which my generation generally hold.

Buffy The Vampire Slayer was progressive as hell and still impacts Hollywood today but look at Whedon now...

 

[writer0327]

It isn't her political opinions. It's her bigotry. But that you bring up such messaging in the work is interesting, when a big part of Potter's success is the general idea of inclusion no matter who you are. One of the big tragedies with all this has been how many trans people who say Potter as a safe haven, don't feel that way anymore, as Rowling has excluded them.

I know it may just be me, but I do find these conversations to be uncomfortable and genuinely frustrating, because trans people are treated like a "political position" in a way people of color and gay folk were in the past. Both still are of course, but it has become less fashionable to do so in overt ways in public.

So if you don't want to pass judgement, fine. But please stop deeming the abuse and othering of vulnerable people as a political opinion.

I thought she came out and said she supported trans rights and supported the equal respect and treatment of all people. I could've sworn I read that somewhere but maybe I'm mistaken.

Either way, it may not be "political" (call it cultural, societal, whatever) but the conversation needs to happen in a political sphere, because that's where the change needs to happen ultimately. President Biden just signed executive orders directly related to trans rights, so lets not pretend it's not a political issue. The negative treatment of people needs to be discussed in public, politically and overtly, because it needs to be called out in politics and in public. So as rotten as it is for the fans of HP to have to deal with this, maybe something good comes of it. Right?

 

[Snow Queen]

Ten years ago, I'd probably be very excited about the news. But today, with Rowling receiving money off it, I'm good. Even without the transphobia mask off, as a writer she comes off a bit like a relic these days and I can't say I have any interest in further participation from her. It just feels so... tired.

I thought she came out and said she supported trans rights and supported the equal respect and treatment of all people. I could've sworn I read that somewhere but maybe I'm mistaken.

Either way, it may not be "political" (call it cultural, societal, whatever) but the conversation needs to happen in a political sphere, because that's where the change needs to happen ultimately. President Biden just signed executive orders directly related to trans rights, so lets not pretend it's not a political issue. The negative treatment of people needs to be discussed in public, politically and overtly, because it needs to be called out in politics and in public. So as rotten as it is for the fans of HP to have to deal with this, maybe something good comes of it. Right?

You can say that you support something, but when you pour your time and energy into the exact opposite of that and in fact the harming of those people - it makes it pretty evidently disingenuous and a smoke screen. Where she decided to dig her heels in is telling, @Sithborg pointed some of it out but it's all pretty standard transphobia playbook stuff that is disturbingly prominent in the UK.

While progress needs to happen through political mechanisms, that doesn't mean that the basis of it is a political issue. It's not merely a political issue, there's more to it than that - just as there's more to racism than dismantling overtly racist laws. When you make the rights of human beings just a political issue, it's dehumanizing.

 

[Green Goblin]

There is nothing remarkably progressive in the Harry Potter books. That's not to be dismissive of the books and their impact, but they aren't. They are good books, sure. But the story does not really tread that much new ground, much less progressive ground. She gets to credit for Gandalf, as it is clear from later stuff that she is uncomfortable actually going with him being gay.

She is a transphobic bigot. You cannot deny that.

Oh come on. Many of the core themes of the series are rooted in progressive ideology such as economic poverty, tolerance for those who are different etc. Even Voldemort who is the main antagonist is rooted in fascism, wanting to wipe out "inferior" muggles and have a world ruled only by those who are "superior" magic users.

It's not The Communist Manifesto but for fantasy entertainment I think you'd be hard pressed to find something better.

I don't think all her good work, including all she has done for charity and political issues in the past is outweighed by her comments.

Which is exactly the issue with it. While the books aren't actually progressive (actually it's kind of racist and is getting more so as she adds more), that is how fans took them. And she has now confirmed she isn't that person.

Rowling is basically the kind of person who in the 80s would have been like, "oh, I love black people" while arguing against gay folk. Progress in one area usually leads to another vulnerable group being attacked in the place of the one which is no longer fashionable to attack in public.

Rowling likes to identify as a feminist, but it's hard to say that when she uses her position to drive a monster truck over vulnerable women.

While I disagree with your first paragraph about the books not being progressive I can agree with most of what you've said here. Only thing I would add is that society isn't as progressive on transpeople as you'd believe. I think most men for instance, even in my generation wouldn't actually date a transgender woman because they are transgender, which I would argue isn't really viewing them as women.

Buffy The Vampire Slayer was progressive as hell and still impacts Hollywood today but look at Whedon now...

Although I liked his work up until Age Of Ultron I never really warmed up to him as a person. I always felt there was skeletons in his closet.

 

[Doctor Jones]

Just don't re-adapt the books. This world is enormous. I want to see new things. That doesn't mean pull a Lucasfilm and make a prequel about Dumbledore or the Hogwarts founders or a Luna Lovegood spin off or a Quidditch series. And please don't have David Yates or Rowling involved creatively either. If none of these things happen, there might actually be a tv show I will watch.

 

[DarthSkywalker]

Just don't re-adapt the books. This world is enormous. I want to see new things. That doesn't mean pull a Lucasfilm and make a prequel about Dumbledore or the Hogwarts founders or a Luna Lovegood spin off or a Quidditch series. And please don't have David Yates or Rowling involved creatively either. If none of these things happen, there might actually be a tv show I will watch.

Give me a show following a few badass Aurors. Maybe finally a female lead.

 

[DarthSkywalker]

While I disagree with your first paragraph about the books not being progressive I can agree with most of what you've said here. Only thing I would add is that society isn't as progressive on transpeople as you'd believe. I think most men for instance, even in my generation wouldn't actually date a transgender woman because they are transgender, which I would argue isn't really viewing them as women.

I definitely agree. This is why I place the trans right movement in the context of like the 40s/50s for civil rights or the 90s for gay rights. It maddening how slow progress is in such areas that repeat over and over again. So while society in general is far too open to accepting transphobe, it is no different then when being racist or homophobic was the absolute norm. Someone who was racist in the 50s isn't not racist because it was the 50s.

With Rowling her stance mimics so many known bigots and their strategies, it's painfully obvious. It shows a real lack of self-reflection on her part. She says she's is pro trans rights, but then dehumanizes trans people constantly, and paints them all as either misguided by mental illness or predators. She actually uses the bathroom argument, while framing her fight as one to protect women. How can she say she is for pro trans rights when she literally unfollowed Stephen King on twitter because he simply said, "trans women are women" (factually and scientifically correct by the way). Which has to make you wonder how she feels about Daniel, Emma and Rupert, who all said the exact same thing.

 

[writer0327]

I want to see how James, Sirius, and Peter became animagi. Then I can die a happy man.

 

[DarkKnight88]

Give me a show following a few badass Aurors. Maybe finally a female lead.

What about a trans-female lead? WB would make quite the statement.

 

[Primal Slayer]

Sure

 

[Boy Scout]

I want to see how James, Sirius, and Peter became animagi. Then I can die a happy man.

The process was outlined on Pottermore. From what I remember, it’s not that exciting. One of the steps is holding a leaf in your mouth for a month.

 

[writer0327]

The process was outlined on Pottermore. From what I remember, it’s not that exciting. One of the steps is holding a leaf in your mouth for a month.

Yeah but I'd love to see it played out in a series.

 

[Boy Scout]

What about a trans-female lead? WB would make quite the statement.

There’s no way in hell Rowling would let that happen. Even if she did, I’d be afraid she’d want to be creatively involved and use the series as a vehicle to critique the pro-transpeople movement.

 

[Boy Scout]

Yeah but I'd love to see it played out in a series.

Yeah, but...why? Not trying to be snarky or anything, but if it’s not an exciting process, what’s the point?

 

[DarthSkywalker]

The Wrap is saying HBO is flat out denying this. Which I could believe. The TERF has seemed reluctant on this idea in the past.

Warner Bros Denies 'Harry Potter' TV Spinoff in the Works at HBO Max

 

[writer0327]

Yeah, but...why? Not trying to be snarky or anything, but if it’s not an exciting process, what’s the point?

I like friendships. What the 3 of them did for Remus really touched me and I like to see it played out.

 

[Primal Slayer]

The Wrap is saying HBO is flat out denying this. Which I could believe. The TERF has seemed reluctant on this idea in the past.

Warner Bros Denies 'Harry Potter' TV Spinoff in the Works at HBO Max

Why would big sites like Vanity Fair be reporting it if it were false? They gotta get their info from somewhere. I doubt The Wrap is the only media site that thought to reach out to WB for confirmation....weird.

 

[DarthSkywalker]

Why would big sites like Vanity Fair be reporting it if it were false? They gotta get their info from somewhere. I doubt The Wrap is the only media site that thought to reach out to WB for confirmation....weird.

Fair question. I guess we will see who is right soon enough.

 

[writer0327]

The Wrap is saying HBO is flat out denying this. Which I could believe. The TERF has seemed reluctant on this idea in the past.

Warner Bros Denies 'Harry Potter' TV Spinoff in the Works at HBO Max

Funny, the Variety article posted earlier said the exact same thing.

“There are no Harry Potter series in development at the studio or on the streaming platform,” Warner Bros. and HBO Max said in a statement to Variety, though multiple sources have confirmed that the project is in the very early stages.

Its likely someone blowing smoke to calm the rumor mill so they can operate in peace and quiet. But HBO Max needs this to happen big time. This announcement has already generated the kind of buzz they desperately need.

 

[Sithborg]

A Harry Potter show is not the draw you think it is. Not anymore.

 

[DarthSkywalker]

A Harry Potter show is not the draw you think it is. Not anymore.

It's a draw. Just like the game is. Is it Star Wars or Marvel? No. But it has plenty of drawing power, especially outside of the US.

 

[MadVillainy]

"Harry Potter isn't a draw." Sure.

People will be drawn to it. Let's not kid ourselves