J.K. Rowling plans to ‘lay in champagne’ while activists boycott ‘Harry Potter’ TV series
She’s flicking away the haters.
Author J.K. Rowling issued her own snarky response to those who said that they would not watch the upcoming “Harry Potter” by saying that she will take precautions by “laying in a large stock of champagne.”
The embattled author tweeted the sarcastic comment after saying that several people were already threatening to boycott the new series over her involvement.
“Dreadful news, which I feel duty bound to share. Activists in my mentions are trying to organize yet another boycott of my work, this time of the Harry Potter TV show,” Rowling, 57, tweeted Friday. “As forewarned is forearmed, I’ve taken the precaution of laying in a large stock of champagne.”
The tweet comes after it was announced that the streaming service “Max” — formally HBO Max — had green-lit a “decade-long series” based on the popular books.
According to a press release, the series would focus on the original seven books and not the ongoing “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them” spinoff series.
“The stories from each of Rowling’s Harry Potter books will become a decade-long series produced with the same epic craft, love and care this global franchise is known for,” the streaming service said in a press release. “The series will feature a new cast to lead a new generation of fandom, full of the fantastic detail, much loved characters and dramatic locations that Harry Potter fans have loved for over 25 years.”
“Each season will be authentic to the original books and bring Harry Potter and these incredible adventures to new audiences around the world, while the original, classic and beloved films will remain at the core of the franchise and available to watch globally,” continued the release.
Warner Brothers revealed that Rowling will serve as the show’s executive producer and that she would maintain some creative control but would not be the show’s primary creator or showrunner.
The move to have Rowling serve in such a position has divided fans due to the author’s past comments regarding transgender issues.
When asked by Indiwire about whether or not the move might generate backlash, HBO and Max declined to comment.
“No, I don’t think this is the forum,” said Content Head Casey Bloys. “That’s a very online conversation, very nuanced and complicated and not something we’re going to get into.”
The Post reached out to HBO and Warner Bros. for comment.
Rumors of a potential television adaptation of the popular young adult novels began swirling in January 2021, but were shot down by both Warner Bros. and HBO Max.
“There are no ‘Harry Potter’ series in development at the studio or on the streaming platform,” Warner Bros. and HBO Max said in a joint statement.
Rumors picked up again in September 2022 when the head of Warner Bros. Discovery International boss Gerhard Zeiler made a comment about the “development of franchises” for “Harry Potter” in a talk at the Royal Television Society convention.
HBO once again shot down the rumors telling The Post that Zeiler had only “spoke about the opening of the Tokyo Wizarding World” and “not about a series or films,” adding that the January 2021 statement “still stands.”
The most recent “Potter” project HBO had released before the announcement was a documentary called “Harry Potter 20th Anniversary: Return to Hogwarts,” which celebrated the franchise’s two decades of success.
The eight “Harry Potter” film adaptations released by Warner Bros. from 2001-2011 cumulatively brought in more than $7.7 billion at the global box office.
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