September 10th 2024.
The highly-anticipated reboot of the beloved Harry Potter series has been making waves as HBO prepares to launch it. However, amidst the excitement, the casting call for the new series has caused quite a stir.
Despite Warner Bros. and HBO's commitment to inclusive and diverse casting, some fans have taken to social media to express their outrage at the possibility of any changes to the original characters. Just yesterday, the casting call was officially announced, with a focus on children from the UK and Ireland.
The reboot promises to stay true to the books, with a fresh new cast taking over the roles previously made iconic by Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, and Emma Watson. But even before the casting process has begun, there has been a flurry of opinions online.
At the heart of the controversy is the casting note that auditions will be open to performers of all ethnicities, genders, and backgrounds. While this commitment to diversity is now a common practice, for some fans, the idea of altering the characters' ethnicities or genders is unacceptable.
One fan, @AdamBrimson, voiced his frustration on Twitter, saying, "What can they do that hasn't already been done in the movies? Apart from turning it incredibly 'woke'?" The fear of "wokeness" has become a central theme in the backlash, with many fans expressing their disappointment at any deviation from the original character portrayals.
Another user, @mymomso2, declared, "IF THEY ARE NOT ALL WHITE, WE ARE BOYCOTTING THIS! Harry Potter is White. Ron Weasley is White. Hermione Granger is White. END OF DISCUSSION." It's clear that many online users are concerned that the new series will be "too woke."
User @GosuGains expressed his frustration, writing, "Can we please put a hold on this until 'Wokeness' is dead? No one wants to watch yet another beloved story be abused by resentful, entitled, incompetent, adult-children." While @nirgn975 posted, "Let's hope for it to not be 'woke' and ruin the original storyline," and @taylortrandahl expressed their disappointment at the casting announcement, fearing that the remake will fall victim to the same "woke pandering" that has ruined other beloved franchises in recent years.
It's worth noting that J.K. Rowling, the author of the books, has been vocal about her anti-trans beliefs. So, the call for diverse casting is particularly intriguing, and some fans have pointed out this irony.
User @johnnyjl96 wrote, "I'm really interested in this, even though I never asked for it. Hope they nail it, or I'm going to be very disappointed. Music needs to stay the same, everything else needs to feel fresh in my opinion." And @RayYoWTF shared their enthusiasm, saying, "How dope is this???? I'm so excited about this new series and can't wait to see the new cast and how it'll play out! I volunteer as tribute to play a Death Eater!!!"
Some on social media are hopeful that a more diverse cast for the new series will help undo some of the harm caused by Rowling's stances and allow even more people to see themselves in the story.
After all, for many children, Hogwarts is the first place they ever truly felt like they belonged. The magic of the Harry Potter universe lies in its ability to transport readers and viewers away from their real lives and into a world full of endless possibilities. And with a more diverse cast, even more children will be able to see themselves in this beloved story, only enhancing the magic.
So, if you or someone you know is between the ages of 9-11 in 2025, make sure to check out the casting call for a chance to be a part of this magical world. And if you have a celebrity story, video, or pictures, don't forget to reach out to the entertainment team at The Agency via email, phone, or by visiting their Submit Stuff page – they would love to hear from you.
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