Andrew Garfield doesn’t hold back when it comes to his views on Rowlingbecause it draws a firm line between the creator and her work.
Over the years, the bestselling author has been outspoken about her “gender critical” stance, sparking a widespread backlash. In response, some actors publicly distanced themselves, while others showed support.
Today, Garfield praises the genius of “Harry Potter” while refusing to acknowledge the woman behind him.
Andrew Garfield praises the ‘Harry Potter’ franchise but snubs its famous author
In a recent interview, the “Amazing Spider-Man” alum opened up about his introduction to the wizarding world and gushed about the original cast and crew members.
“Daniel is so good. Honestly, I hadn’t watched the Harry Potter movies until recently,” the actor shared on the March 26 episode of “Hits Radio.” “He’s really good in these movies. These Harry Potter movies are really good.”
However, Garfield openly refused to acknowledge the mastermind behind the books, appearing to allude to his stance on societal issues.
“I know it’s controversial and we shouldn’t put money in the pocket of inhumane legislation right now through one that will remain anonymous,” he explained, adding that he couldn’t help but dissociate the message from the creator’s project.
He said the film carried wonderful themes, creativity and actors, which he cannot entirely dismiss just because of its creator.
“You can’t throw the baby out with the bathwater,” Garfield explained. “There are so many beautiful artists who worked on these films. I have a new appreciation for all artists.”
Keira Knightley ignores JK Rowling controversy as she joins audiobook cast
While Garfield shined a light on the work of the cast and crew, other actors reacted differently to the debate surrounding Rowling.
The Blast reported that Keira Knightley, who plays Dolores Umbridge in the series’ audiobooks, revealed that she had no idea about the backlash related to the author.
The actress seemed genuinely surprised when asked about the controversy, admitting she was completely unaware of it before apologizing for her lack of knowledge. She added that people have different views and stressed the need for society to co-exist respectfully despite disagreements.
Pedro Pascal called the famous writer’s opinion ‘loser behavior’
Pedro Pascal took a much more critical stance, calling out Rowling on several occasions.
According to The Blast, in April last year, after activist Tariq Ra’ouf urged fans to boycott future projects related to the franchise, Pascal called the author an “odious loser.”
He doubled down in June, comparing the negative reaction surrounding Rowling to a child repeatedly sent to the principal’s office for behavior problems, scared but wondering what he had done wrong.
The “Game of Thrones” actor admitted he wondered if speaking out really made a difference, emphasizing that his concern was not a negative reaction but a real impact. He stressed the need for thoughtful and effective action leading to the protection of people.
How the Harry Potter cast remained divided over JK Rowling’s views
As several reactions continued to pour in, Tom Felton, who played Draco Malfoy, made it known that he would not cast stones at the woman who helped shape his career.
As The Blast reported, when Felton was asked if Rowling’s views on gender had affected his relationship with the franchise, he replied, “No, I can’t say that’s the case. I’m not really listening.”
Instead, he focused on Rowling’s impact, crediting her with creating something that brought people together and benefited his career.
On the other hand, Daniel Radcliffe, who plays the main character, took a different stance. In a May 2024 interview, Radcliffe said, “Just because she made me a star doesn’t mean I have to agree with her.” »
Emma Watson opened up about tension with Rowling
Emma Watson, known for playing Hermione, has since shown that she supports trans rights, publicly opposing Rowling’s views.
Her stance put her at odds with Rowling and created distance between them since 2020, which has only grown over time. Despite the disagreement, Watson refuses to have his love for Rowling denied by her.
During a previous appearance on Jay Shetty’s podcast, reported by The Blast, Watson acknowledged the positive experiences and personal connection she had with Rowling. She insisted that her appreciation for those moments remains, even if their values now differ.