John Lithgow misses the point on J.K. Rowling criticisms
News that John Lithgow would be playing Albus Dumbledore in the upcoming Harry Potter series for Max was met with criticism, as every casting announcement has. Because the series is helping fuel J.K. Rowling’s reach and lining her pockets. Which should not be anyone’s goal.
Rowling has been using her money to help fund campaigns that, ultimately, led to the Supreme Court in the United Kingdom taking away the rights of the trans community. The bill that recently passed takes away a trans woman’s right to be protected under the same harassment laws that cis women are. The law, in turn, hurts trans men as well as trans women and people like Rowling consider it a way of protecting “women.”
Trans women are women so the bill actually is hurting women. This is just the latest in Rowling’s relentless attack on the trans community. Which her millions of dollars she made off of the Harry Potter series helped her fund. Which is why many are refusing to watch the new series, which will just give Rowling more influence and money.
Lithgow, who people thought just didn’t “know” about Rowling’s anti-trans ways, spoke up about joining the series and it is disappointing.
“Of course, it was a big decision because it’s probably the last major role I’ll play,” Lithgow said in an interview with The Times of London. “It’s an eight-year commitment so I was just thinking about mortality and that this is a very good winding-down role.” Lithgow went on to admit that a mother of a trans child he knows sent him an open letter that asked for him to turn down the role. Which forced Lithgow to consider why this is all a “factor” in the new show.
Lithgow went on essentially say that Rowling’s actions shouldn’t have been a factor in this. “I thought, ‘Why is this a factor at all?’ I wonder how J.K. Rowling has absorbed it,” Lithgow said. “I suppose at a certain point I’ll meet her, and I’m curious to talk to her.”
It gives J.K. Rowling more money, power, and influence
The conversation of separating the art from the artist boils down to one simple fact: If the “artist” benefits from you engaging with their art, then it is not beneficial to continue to support it. Rowling is involved with this series. Warner Bros. has said as much. So what is going to happen is that Rowling will get more money from this project, money she allegedly used to help fund a successful campaign that took away rights from the trans community.
So why that is a “factor” is because Lithgow is, in part, contributing to Rowling’s actions. However removed he thinks he is from what she does outside of her work, the fact of that matter is that she is being given money by this adaptation and that money is helping her fuel her hate campaign.
The fact that Lithgow said a friend sent him the open letter and he still did not understand why it was a big deal to be a part of the franchise is upsetting and hopefully someone will speak up about how this series does not need to happen.
(featured image: Lionel Hahn/Getty Images)
Have a tip we should know? [email protected]
