JK Rowling strikes back! WB and author rumored to be working on Harry Potter TV spin-off
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: It seems the world of Harry Potter will soon be seen on television screens as rumors are surrounding that Warner Bros., which lately amalgamated with Discovery, is signing a contract with JK Rowling. Writing for the Daily Mail, columnist Alison Boshoff cited her sources and said that an agreement has actually already been reached not less than six months ago and that the work has started on a Potter spin-off.
The Chief Showbusiness writer noted that the insiders have told her, “The Potter spin-off is being talked about as a fact by people who work for HBO.” However, not just the television series, Rowling is also reportedly planning to start toiling on another Potter film franchise. But representatives of Warner Bros. have refuted both the speculations and did not even confirm that CEO of Warner Bros. Discovery David Zaslav met the 57-year-old writer.
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Boshof in her report noted that “All most peculiar, given that the 'meeting' would concern the largest asset Warner has — the intellectual property (IP) covering all things boy wizard — and would thus not really be personal at all. Rowling controls the Potter 'IP', and every decision has to come through her, whether it's about merchandising, theme parks, video games or anything else.”
She continued, “Warner Bros would have to be blind not to want to follow the example of Disney, which has pumped out successful TV spin-off series from its Star Wars and Marvel film franchises including Loki, Obi-Wan Kenobi, WandaVision, The Mandalorian, Ms Marvel and Moon Knight,” before adding, “It is a matter of record that Zas, a lawyer, set off on a listening tour after joining the company in April. In May, the Wall Street Journal profiled him and said he was planning to meet J.K. Rowling imminently. I'm told they did meet and it went well.”
Boshof also pointed out that when earlier, Rowling faced heavy criticism over her remarks on transgenders, Warner Bros. did not openly comment on it while Harry Potter’s main actors — Emma Watson and Daniel Radcliffe — directly attacked her through their words. Radcliffe had fired back saying, "I feel compelled to say something at this moment. Transgender women are women. Any statement to the contrary erases the identity and dignity of transgender people and goes against all advice given by professional health care associations who have far more expertise on this subject matter than either Jo or I."
However, when the philanthropist tweeted, “Horrifying news. Feeling very sick right now. Let him be ok,” after novelist Salman Rushdie was violently attacked in New York, and in return, she received a death threat, the film production company stood with her.
In a statement, Warner Bros. Discovery said, “Warner Bros. Discovery strongly condemns the threats made against J.K. Rowling. We stand with her and all the authors, storytellers and creators who bravely express their creativity and opinions.”
It added, “WBD believes in freedom of expression, peaceful discourse and supporting those who offer their views in the public arena. Our thoughts are with Sir Salman Rushdie and his family following the senseless act of violence in New York. The company strongly condemns any form of threat, violence or intimidation when opinions, beliefs and thoughts might differ.”