Harry Potter star Helena Bonham Carter recently came to the defense of Johnny Depp and Harry Potter franchise creator JK Rowling.
Based on author Rowling’s popular children’s book series of the same name, the Harry Potter the film franchise is one of the few with no rotten scores on Rotten Tomatoes. However, the same cannot be said for the Rowling and Depp controversy. Rowling has been criticized for her anti-trans comments, while Depp’s abusive relationship with Amber Heard has mired the actor in controversy for years.
In a recent interview with The Times, Carter, who plays Bellatrix Lestrange in several Harry Potter films, spoke in support of the author of the Rowling franchise. After condemning Rowling’s treatment in some pretty strong language, she explained, saying: “I think so [Rowling] was followed. It was taken to the extreme, the judgment of men. She allowed her opinion, especially if it was abused. Everyone has their own history of trauma and they form their opinions from that trauma and you have to respect where people are coming from and their pain. You don’t have to all agree on everything – that would be crazy and boring. She doesn’t mean to be aggressive, she’s just saying something from her own experience.” This support for Rowling is in stark contrast to franchise star Daniel Radcliffe speaking out against it Harry Potter author.
Carter also commented on the situation regarding Depp, who has starred in several projects alongside Carter (such as the 2012 film). Dark shadows) and is the godfather of her children. Depp played the evil wizard Grindelwald in the first two films of the film Fantastic animals franchise, a spin-off based on Harry Potter tradition, before being reformed due to a libel case involving allegations from his ex-wife Amber Heard. “Oh, I think it’s completely justified,” Carter said, referring to the outcome of the whole debacle. “I think it’s good now. Totally fine. My opinion is that [Heard] climbed that pendulum. That’s the problem with these things – that people will jump on the bandwagon because it’s the trend and to be the poster girl.”
Carter, who has so far managed to avoid being embroiled in any controversy over the extent of what her fellow celebrities have been up to lately, has opinions that differ greatly from those of the others involved. In addition to Radcliffe’s statements, others involved in the IP have also taken a stand against Rowling, with Radcliffe’s co-star Emma Watson coming under fire online for suggesting she would not work with Rowling in the future. Despite this fact, it seems that Warner Bros. Discovery may not share that bewilderment, as the company has recently expressed interest in more Harry Potter known projects, with Rowling probably in the picture.
As for Depp, opinion is still divided as to how much vindication he got with the verdict, but it’s clear that the sanctions imposed on him by the industry are softened in light of it. Mads Mikkelson, who replaced Depp as Grindelwald, even commented on the possibility of Depp returning to the role in the future. Whether his possible return will be enough to revitalize the waning popularity of Harry Potter franchise remains to be seen.
The Harry Potter movies are available on HBO Max.
Source: The Times