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Eddie Redmayne canceled for slamming JK Rowling trolls? Internet says the actor stole ‘a role from trans woman’

The 38-year-old actor said that he disagreed with Rowling's views on the trans community but was alarmed by the 'vitriol' towards Rowling and called it 'absolutely disgusting'

JK Rowling has been embroiled in controversies over her statements on the “transgender community” for a long time now. The author — known for her ‘Harry Potter’ books — now seems to have got some support from ‘Fantastic Beasts’ actor Eddie Redmayne. In an interview with The Daily Mail, the 38-year-old actor said that he disagreed with Rowling’s views but was alarmed by the “vitriol” towards Rowling and called it “absolutely disgusting.”

The actor who played Newt Scamander in ‘Fantastic Beasts’ movies and is currently shooting for its third installment said he has many “trans friends and colleagues” who have “their human rights challenged around the world and facing discrimination on a daily basis.” Although he called the insults to trans people on social media “disgusting,” he also said, “Similarly, there continues to be a hideous torrent of abuse towards trans people online and out in the world that is devastating.”

No sooner did his statements go out in the public, a string of accusations were hurled towards him. “Well, I guess I don't like Eddie Redmayne anymore. Agreeing to play a trans character wasn't great in the first place, but defending JK Rowling? Someone cares more about his Fantastic Beasts career than the trans friends he claims to have,” one tweet read and another said, “Remember when Eddie Redmayne played a trans woman and a bunch of us said that there's a problem with cis men playing trans women is that trans women are often framed/solidified as cross-dressing men?”

In fact, one Twitter user speculated if his change of heart had anything to do with the third installment being slated for a 2021 release. “What a mysterious change of heart Eddie Redmayne has had! very strange indeed!” one tweet read and another said, “Someone else already said if but if Eddie Redmayne seriously wants to support trans people the biggest thing he could do is cancel his contract with Fantastic Beasts.” One even went on to say: “Shut up, Eddie Redmayne. You don't get to steal a role from a trans woman and then (again) try to tell trans people how to react to transphobia. You do not speak for us, nor do you know what you're talking about, you pompous troll.” 

Back in June, Rowling had said, “The idea that women like me, who’ve been empathetic to trans people for decades, feeling kinship because they’re vulnerable in the same way as women — ie, to male violence — ‘hate’ trans people because they think sex is real and has lived consequences — is nonsense.”

Later, Redmayne slammed her comments and said in a statement to Variety: “Respect for transgender people remains a cultural imperative, and over the years I have been trying to constantly educate myself. This is an ongoing process.” The actor, who identifies as cisgender and was nominated for an Oscar for his portrayal of Lili Elbe, a transgender woman in ‘The Danish Girl’ continued: “As someone who has worked with both JK Rowling and members of the trans community, I wanted to make it absolutely clear where I stand. I disagree with Jo’s comments. Trans women are women, trans men are men and non-binary identities are valid. I would never want to speak on behalf of the community but I do know that my dear transgender friends and colleagues are tired of this constant questioning of their identities, which all too often results in violence and abuse. They simply want to live their lives peacefully, and it’s time to let them do so.”

After his recent statement, many Twitter users dragged him into the controversy and said he should be canceled. However, many fans raised a voice against the cancel culture and stood by the actor's stance. “People are really trying to cancel Eddie Redmayne for condemning death threats,” one said and another posted, “Lmao y’all are really trying to use a poorly written article that took statements out of context to try and cancel Eddie Redmayne. Couldn’t be me.”

One fan said, “I am so sick of this. Of course, people are cherry-picking what JKR says to make her out as an ally or enemy. Now people are going after Eddie Redmayne for, oh being disgusted by Twitter cancel culture? Y'all can take a step back before you turn him into your next punching bag.” Another wrote, “Now people are mad at Eddie Redmayne? It's interesting how much people keep JK Rowling in the limelight, even though they're trying to cancel her. Y'all are kids.”

Well, the Internet will always remain a strange and funny place but isn't it time to put a stop to the cancel culture — especially when it blows a statement out of proportion? Share your thoughts in the comments below.