John Lithgow is not being intimidated by “Harry Potter” fans.
The 79-year-old actor did an interview with The Times of London published on Sunday, where he went to the violent reaction that he is Gothic for joining the television series “Harry Potter” of HBO because either the anti-transverse of JK Rowling.
Lithgow said “absolutely” did not expect to get so much hatred of the author’s many critics.
“Or, of course, it was a great decision, it is probably the last important role that I will play,” Lithgow said. “It is an eight -year commitment, so I was just thinking about mortality and that this is a very good liquidation role.”
The “Conclave” star revealed that before signing in the “Harry Potter” program to play Professor Albus Dumbledore, “a very good friend who is the mother of a trans child” sent her an open letter entitled “An open letter to John Lithgow: please, away from Harry Pencter.”
“That was the Canarian of the coal mine,” Lithgow said.
He added: “I thought:” Why is this a factor at all? “I wonder that JK Rowling has absorbed it.
When asked if the reaction has made him reconsider to join the cast, Lithgow replied: “Oh, heaven No.”
Rowling’s controversial comments on the transgender community have legs with reaction in recent years. The film stars of “Harry Potter”, Daniel Radcliffe and Emma Watson, even spoke to publicly disagree with her in 2020.
Despite his views, Rowling is one of the executive producers of HBO’s television adaptation of his famous book series.
The CEO of HBO, Casey Bloys, confirmed in November that Rowling has “been quite involved” in the realization of the program, which is expected to debut about Max in 2026.
“She was very involved in the writer and director’s selection process,” Bloys told journalists in a press event. “I imagine that you will have opinions about casting. It affected casting or hiring or writers or production personnel or anything, so we carry” any impact of that. “
Lithgow confirmed its cast in the series “Harry Potter” in February.
“It was a total surprise for me,” he told Screen Rant. “I just received the phone call at the Sundance Film Festival for another film, and it was not an easy decision to define for the last chapter of my life, I fear.”
“I am very excited. Some wonderful people are making their attention to” Harry Potter, “Lithgow continued.” That is why it is such a difficult decision. I will be about 87 years old at the wrapping party, but I said yes. “
They join Lithgow in the Janet McTeer program as Professor Minerva McGonagall, Paapa Essiedu as Professor Severus Snape, Nick Frost as Rubus Hagrid, Luke Thallon as Professor Quirinus Quirrel and Paul Whitehouse as Argus Filch.
The actors who play Harry, Ron and Hermione have not yet been announced.
