American film producers are planning a version of the Harry Potter movies that live up to the diversity the originals purport to espouse. In what the Daily Mail UK is reporting will be seen as an attack on both J.K. Rowling and her legions of loyal followers – Potterheads, it’s a children’s book – the filmmakers are looking for a more diverse lineup of magical characters in the new Harry Potter series, including casting more transgender and non-binary actors and non-white actors in starring roles.
While the filmmakers and the project’s creator, TikTok video producer Megan Mckelli, have written their own script, which does not feature Harry, played by Daniel Radliffe in the original Harry Potter saga alongside Emma Watson as Hermione Granger, as the central characters, it is based on the books written by Rowling, who litigiously guards her copyright. However, as a fan film, the new Harry Potter project could exist in a legal grey area that would allow ex-Potterheads to see themselves in the franchise once more.
One of the roles the producers would like to see recast is for the starring role of the web series, James Potter, the father of young wizard Harry. According to casting notes, that role is open to an actor who is “Asian, black, African descent, ethnically ambiguous, multiracial, Indigenous peoples, Latino, Hispanic, Middle Eastern, South Asian, Indian, Southeast Asian or Pacific Islander.” The Daily Mail inaccurately notes the role is only open to non-white actors as the casting notes clearly list “ethnically ambiguous,” which is a catchall term that has been used to discriminate against actors of color in Hollywood for decades.
Fans Fight Back Against Transphobia in the Harry Potter Franchise
As far as trans rep, although the web series producers have not said who they want to play Lily Evans, Harry’s mother, they have said they want a “gender-nonconforming, non-binary, trans female.” And casting sheets also include Sirius Black, who some transmen on the internet connected with as a story of coming out. For the new web series, all genders can audition for the part, with TikTok video producer Mckelli, saying, “We aim to reflect the diversity of the fanbase in its beloved characters, introducing people of colour, queer storylines, and characters of differing faiths.”
But the producers, who are based in America, are certain to face a legal battle from Rowling, who is not believed to have granted permission for them to use her characters. However, as a fan film, the series producers may not need her permission. Besides, it seems a little hypocritical after Rowling recast a Black actress in the role of Hermione for Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, a production that broke records by selling 175,000 tickets in 24 hours, and when the author herself even uses a pseudonymous masculine persona to market herself as Robert Galbraith.
Rowling is not known for keeping quiet about her transphobic attitudes, however. The author even decided to return the Ripple of Hope award, a Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights organization honor, she was given in 2019, after Kerry Kennedy, president of the organization, wrote a statement criticizing Rowling’s views on gender and sex as “deeply troubling transphobic tweets and statements.” So, the new All-Trans, All-Diverse Harry Potter likely faces an uphill battle before it sees the light of day.
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