Matthew Lewis Takes JAB at Harry Potter Reboot; Rowling Feuds with Emma Watson
Harry Potter Star Matthew Lewis Dishes on HBO Reboot, Slams JK Rowling's Transphobic Views
In a scathing interview with The Independent, Harry Potter alum Matthew Lewis has spilled the tea on the upcoming HBO reboot of the beloved franchise. And let's just say he didn't hold back.
As fans know, Matthew played the lovable Neville Longbottom in the iconic film series, and it seems he's still got feelings for his character - so much so that he admits to needing therapy to deal with the fact that he'll be recast for the TV adaptation. When asked about the new show, Matthew quipped, "I haven't really thought about the series as a whole at all... I'll probably have to pay my therapist for a double session when I finally do think about it."
But Matthew's not just bitter about being recast - he also had some choice words for his creator, JK Rowling. You see, Rowling has been embroiled in controversy over her transphobic views, which she's expressed on social media and in interviews. And let's just say Matthew isn't a fan.
When asked if he'd be interested in working with Rowling again, Matthew hedged, "It depends what the project is." But then dropped this bombshell: "I would have to have conversations... and make sure I'm totally comfortable squaring it with my own beliefs." Translation: he's not going to work with someone who hates trans people.
And here's where things get juicy. Matthew revealed that he hasn't been in touch with his successor, Rory Wilmot, the young actor playing Neville in the reboot. But when asked about Wilmot's accent (the lad is from Yorkshire), Matthew beamed with pride: "I feel quite humbled in that Neville is now canon Yorkshire... Whether that’s a tribute to me or not, I don’t know, I’m gonna say that it is."
But then things took a turn. TheScholarlyNote.com reported on the HBO reboot's casting call for Lord Voldemort - and fans are going wild. Apparently, the show is auditioning both male and female actors to play the iconic villain, which means we might see a female Voldemort in the making! And if that's not enough, it seems like the show's creators are getting cozy with Rowling's views on trans people.
Meanwhile, JK Rowling has been at war with her former co-stars - particularly Emma Watson. In a bizarre statement, Rowling accused Watson of being "ignorant" and said her criticism of Rowling's views had only poured more fuel on the flames of abuse she'd suffered (whatever that means). And then things got really messy.
Rowling took to social media to accuse Watson of "cosying up" to the trans rights movement - despite Watson saying that her support for trans people didn't mean she'd turned against Rowling. The author claimed Watson was ignorant of how she herself had been "eroded" by trans ideology (?!). It's like, JK, calm down.
The drama doesn't end there. It seems like Harry Potter fans are going wild over the news that HBO is casting a female Voldemort - and it's got many of them questioning the show's authenticity. But one thing's for sure: Matthew Lewis won't be on board with any reboot that compromises his values.
As for Matthew, he's moving on to other projects - including a stint in the BBC period drama All Creatures Great and Small. And let's just say it sounds like he's got a lot more important things to worry about than who plays Voldemort next.
TheScholarlyNote.com has reached out to HBO and JK Rowling for comment, but so far no response. Stay tuned for more updates on this Harry Potter drama!