Warner Bros Studios says it supports JK Rowling after blocking a question about the author at an event in Leavesden.
Controversy arose when actor Tom Felton, who played Draco Malfoy in the Harry Potter franchise, was promoting a new attraction at the Warner Bros Studios Tour.
Rowling, who created the wizarding world, has been accused of transphobia in recent years since stating her belief that biological sex is real and defending single-sex spaces.
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During the event in Leavesden, Sky News tried to ask a question regarding the author, but a publicist immediately interjected and said: “Next question please.”
Sky was later told that “JK Rowling is not connected to Warner or Tom Felton. The team felt it was not relevant to the piece.”
But since the interview, the Warner Bros Studio Tour has decided to show their support for Rowling despite being seen as a controversial figure.
In a statement, a spokesperson for the Leavesden tour said: “Warner Bros has enjoyed a creative, productive and fulfilling partnership with JK Rowling for the past 20 years. She is one of the world’s most accomplished storytellers, and we are proud to be the studio to bring her vision, characters and stories to life now - and for decades to come.
“On Monday, a statement was issued by a third-party media agency that appeared contrary to this view.
“The statement was wholly wrong, and Warner Bros Studio Tour London regrets it happened as part of a media event that day.”
The support by Warner Bros sheds a different light to how Rowling has been treated over recent years, with many speculating she has been “cancelled” due to her beliefs.
Since stating her opinions, it appeared that Warner Bros had tried to distance themselves from the author – such as the promotion for upcoming video game Hogwarts Legacy emphasising that Rowling did not write the story and is not involved in its development.
However a Portkey Games FAQ did explain the game has been inspired by her wizarding world and she has been supportive of the developers to design the virtual Hogwarts.
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