Andrew Garfield has sparked a fresh debate around the ‘Harry Potter‘ franchise. The Oscar-nominated star said he recently watched the film series for the first time.
He praised the performances, especially that of Daniel Radcliffe, and lauded the production quality. However, Garfield didn’t hesitate to make a jab at author J.K. Rowling amid her trans rights row.
Andrew Garfield Praises Daniel Radcliffe and ‘Harry Potter’ Movies
Garfield, 42, spoke about discovering the wizarding world during an interview with Hit Radio’s Watch My Life in Movies series. “Daniel is really good in the ‘Harry Potter’ films, the films are really good,” he said, referring to the 36-year-old English actor’s performance as the Chosen One.
Garfield’s comments come as interest in the ‘Harry Potter‘ world rises again after the first teaser for HBO’s upcoming TV reboot was released. The original eight-film series, which made billions at the box office between 2001 and 2011, involved thousands of cast and crew members, including set designers, visual effects artists, and puppeteers who helped create the magical creatures.
Related: 5 Hidden Details in HBO’s ‘Harry Potter’ Trailer Fans Missed
Andrew Garfield Calls Out J.K. Rowling
Garfield might’ve loved the world imagined by J.K. Rowling, but he also addressed the ongoing controversy around her and the franchise. He indirectly referenced Rowling’s trans opinions without naming her.
In case you missed it: ‘Harry Potter’ Movies Robbed Us Of Draco Malfoy’s Most Vulnerable Moment With Moaning Myrtle
“I know it’s controversial and we shouldn’t be putting money in the pocket of inhumane legislations right now, through… she who shall remain nameless, […] but there are so many beautiful artists that worked on those films,” he said.
The phrase “who shall remain nameless” mirrors the story’s reference to Voldemort, and fans recognized it as a not-so-subtle swipe at the author. In recent years, her remarks on transgender issues have faced strong criticism and backlash from parts of the public and most of the original cast.
Why Andrew Garfield Still Appreciates The Magical Films
Despite his concerns about financially supporting Rowling, Garfield suggested people should separate the art from the artist. He spoke about the “soul and spirit” of the films and their main ideas of friendship, courage, and belonging.
He also pointed to all the people behind the scenes, saying, “the essence of the themes of those films, and the kids and all the artisans and the craftspeople.”
Now, it’s upon the HBO show to bring the full extent of Rowling’s vision to the screen, including missing plotlines from life at Hogwarts and the surviving characters’ lives after the Dark Lord’s fall during the Second Wizarding War.
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