Overview
- Garfield said in a Hits Radio interview this week that he only recently watched the films, called doing so “controversial,” and referred to J. K. Rowling as “she that shall remain nameless.”
- He praised Daniel Radcliffe and the thousands of crew members whose work shaped the movies, arguing that viewers should not dismiss the artistry even as he worried about “putting money in the pocket of inhumane legislation.”
- Coverage ties his “legislation” remark to Rowling’s funding of For Women Scotland’s legal efforts, which led to a 2025 UK Supreme Court ruling defining “woman” in law by biological sex.
- The remarks landed the same week HBO released the first trailer for its new Harry Potter series, to which Rowling responded on X by calling it “incredible,” as HBO continues to back her involvement.
- The franchise’s return has revived the art-versus-artist debate, with many original stars voicing support for trans rights and outlets framing Garfield’s stance variously as a warning against watching or a defense of the films’ artisans.