John Lithgow Slams JK Rowling For ‘Anti-Trans Views’ Despite Being In Upcoming Series

John Lithgow is set to play Dumbledore in the HBO remake of Harry Potter, and has been catching some flack from trans activists and JK Rowling haters for agreeing to participate.

The 3rd Rock From the Sun legend, 80, has now made it categorically clear that he does not share JK Rowling’s views on transgenderism in any way whatsoever… but he’s still going to take part in the Harry Potter remake anyway.

Speaking at the Rotterdam Film Festival, Lithgow said: “I take the subject extremely seriously. She has created this amazing canon for young people and it has jumped into the consciousness of the society. It’s about good versus evil, kindness versus cruelty.”

“I find her views ironic and inexplicable. I’ve never met her; she’s not really involved in this production at all. But the people who are, are remarkable.

“It upsets me when people are opposed to me having anything to do with this.”

Lithgow highlights that Rowling is “not really involved in this production,” but of course, the project will still put money into her pockets. So I’m not sure his argument will do much to placate the perpetually outraged Rowling haters on social media.

On claims that the Harry Potter books contain hints of Rowling’s ‘anti-trans’ sentiments, Lithgow adds: “In ‘Potter’ canon, you see no trace of transphobic sensitivity.

“She’s written this meditation of kindness and acceptance. Dumbledore is a beautiful role. It was a hard decision. It made me uncomfortable and unhappy that people insisted I walk away from the job. I chose not to do that.”

Well, obviously he “chose not to do that.” As if he’s going to walk away from a multi-million payday just because a bunch of people on the internet are having a go at him for associating with anything JK Rowling-related.

At the end of the day, I doubt he cares that much about JK Rowling’s views, but I suppose he’s got to try and save face to some extent while still collecting his pay cheque for a gig that JK Rowling’s brain made possible.

Meanwhile, Keira Knightley claims she was ‘unaware’ there was JK Rowling boycott happening when she agreed to voice a Harry Potter audiobook. Guess what? She also still did it anyway.