J.K. Rowling appears to have reignited her feud with Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint and Emma Watson via a savage online dig at the Harry Potter trio.
The controversial British author of the seven-volume fantasy novel series, which is the best-selling book series in history having sold more than 600 million copies worldwide, holds gender-critical views.
Rowling has publicly mocked the phrase "people who menstruate", said women's rights and "lived reality" would be "erased" if "sex isn't real", and called a list of trans women "men, every last one of them".
JK Rowling has once again found herself at the centre of controversy in her latest comments on transgender issues.
The author disputes claims her views, which have been met with criticism from Radcliffe, Grint and Watson, are "transphobic".
She was once close to the Harry Potter child stars but previously said she would not forgive the trio for criticising her opinions and told them to "save their apologies" for “traumatised de transitioners”.
Rowling took to X on Wednesday to answer the question: "What actor/actress instantly ruins a movie for you?"
"Three guesses. Sorry, but that was irresistible," the author said, adding laughing emojis.
Many people assumed Rowling's comment was a direct dig at Radcliffe, Grint and Watson, whose characters are known in the Harry Potter fandom as the Golden Trio.
Actor Daniel Radcliffe, writer J.K. Rowling, actress Emma Watson and actor Rupert Grint attend the Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows Part 2 world premiere. Picture: Jon Furniss/WireImage
"It seems J.K. Rowling's 'three guesses' comment might be a jab at the three main *Harry Potter* actors—Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, and Rupert Grint—due to their public support for trans rights, which contrasts with her controversial views on the topic," one person said.
"Over the years, Rowling has expressed frustration with these actors for distancing themselves from her stance, and this tension has been widely discussed online.
"Classy. Real classy. There are better ways to get attention than trying to beef people 30 years younger than you, ya know, but no better way to look like the bitter old woman you've become. You're such a disappointment, JK," one more person said.
However, fans of Rowling said she was within her rights to slight the three stars, saying the trio turned against the author who put them on the map and effectively made them millionaires.
"I wouldn't be sorry. Their lives changed thanks to your work, and how do they repay you? Betrayal," one person said.
News Corp’s UK Correspondent Sophie Elsworth claims HBO’s decision to defend JK Rowling’s involvement in the new Harry Potter TV series has been met with a “lot of applause”.
"Three guesses? 1. The same people who made millions off your work, then turned on you when it was ‘cool’," a second fan said.
"What a shame they were not capable of summoning within themselves the loyalty, love and friendship exemplified by the characters they were so very privileged to play," one more person said.
Rowling's supporters include American network HBO, which is owned by Harry Potter filmmaker Warner Bros.
Last November, HBO chief Casey Bloys said her views have not "affected the casting or hiring of writers or productions staff” of the impending revamp of the Harry Potter series into a long-form TV show.
“J.K. Rowling has a right to express her personal views. We will remain focused on the development of the new series, which will only benefit from her involvement," a spokesperson for the network told Variety.
A Harry Potter reboot is in the works. Picture: X/@DiscussingFilm
Rowling first liked a 'transphobic' X comment in 2018 and went public about her belief that transgender women are men and transgender men are women in June 2020.
Subsequently, Radcliffe, who played Harry Potter, wrote an open letter through the LGBT charity The Trevor Project and accused the author of eliminating transgender's people's "identity" through her opinions.
“Transgender women are women. Any statement to the contrary erases the identity and dignity of transgender people," the letter read.
“To all the people who now feel that their experience of the books has been tarnished or diminished, I am deeply sorry for the pain these comments have caused you.”
In a formal statement in 2020, Grint (Ron Weasley) said he "firmly stand(s) with the trans community and echo(s) the sentiments expressed by many of my peers.
"Trans women are women. Trans men are men.
HBO has defended its decision to involve JK Rowling in the creation of its new Harry Potter TV series.
“We should all be entitled to live with love and without judgement,” he concluded.
Watson, whose character was Hermione Granger, on X said: “Trans people are who they say they are and deserve to live their lives without being constantly questioned or told they aren’t who they say they are.
“I want my trans followers to know that I and so many other people around the world see you, respect you and love you for who you are,” she said in 2020.
On her website, Rowling has said her experience of domestic abuse and sexual assault spurred her controversial views.
