HBO Speaks Out Amid Rumors of JK Rowling’s ‘Harry Potter’ Buyout

Is JK Rowling’s controversial standpoint on gender identity and the transgender community impacting the Harry Potter reboot? HBO CEO Casey Bloys has the answer.

JK Rowling’s Controversial Views on Gender

For years now, the Harry Potter author’s thoughts on transgender rights have given her more headlines than her actual books.

Credit: JK Rowling, Instagram

Her affiliation with transphobic ideology (for which she has claimed she would gladly go to prison) started when she liked several transphobic tweets, which she later claimed were accidental. From there, her views expanded to include concerns about transgender women in female-only spaces.

Over time, her comments have become even more contentious, with the author comparing transgender individuals to Voldemort’s Death Eaters, criticizing former Harry Potter stars like Daniel Radcliffe and Emma Watson for opposing her views and engaging in heated online exchanges with transgender activists.

Credit: Universal Studios

Most recently, she was involved in the backlash against Algerian Olympic gold medalist Imane Khelif, targeting her over an unsubstantiated “gender test” claim made by the International Boxing Association. Khelif eventually filed a cyberbullying lawsuit that explicitly mentioned Rowling, adding fuel to the fire.

The Harry Potter Reboot and Rowling’s Involvement

Rowling’s views have had a deep impact on the Harry Potter fandom.

While many fans have distanced themselves from the franchise or called for boycotts, such as the one surrounding “Hogwarts Legacy,” others have looked for ways to continue enjoying the series without supporting the author directly.

Credit: Warner Bros.

Unsurprisingly, that means some people feel pretty negative towards the upcoming Harry Potter reboot. Set to air on HBO, the series is expected to reintroduce viewers to the wizarding world with a completely new cast, with each season adapting one of the seven books.

While many fans are excited, concerns have emerged about Rowling’s continued involvement as executive producer – particularly how her increasingly extreme views on gender may affect the series.

Credit: Warner Bros.

HBO CEO Casey Bloys addressed these concerns during a recent presentation of the network’s 2025 programming slate.

Despite previously sidestepping the issue in the past, Bloys surprised many by speaking candidly about Rowling’s role. According to Bloys, Rowling has been “fairly involved,” notably in the process of selecting the writer and director for the reboot. However, he stressed that her views on gender identity have had no impact on the casting, hiring, or production process, assuring fans that “we haven’t felt any impact from that.”

Warner Bros. Discovery’s Potential Buyout of Rowling

Last year, rumors surfaced that Warner Bros. Discovery had hoped to bring the original Harry Potter cast back for a ninth movie, potentially adapting the stage production Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. However, the plan reportedly hit a wall due to the cast’s opposition to Rowling’s involvement.

Credit: Warner Bros.

Sources suggest that Warner Bros. even explored buying Rowling out of the franchise, but her price was reportedly “impossible.” Instead, the studio decided to reboot the franchise.

Rowling has long maintained tight control over the Harry Potter universe. She’s consulted on every detail of the Wizarding World theme parks at Universal Studios, even overseeing the food offerings, which are flown to her home in Scotland for approval. Her contract with Universal gives her complete veto power over any submissions related to food, beverages, or any licensed property, ensuring that no decisions are made without her consent.

Could Rowling Be Bought Out of the Franchise?

Entertainment insider Jeffrey Sneider has speculated that these creative control issues could lead Warner Bros. Discovery to eventually buy Rowling out of the franchise.

Credit: Universal Studios Japan

In his newsletter, The Insneider, Sneider hinted that the release of a new Harry Potter audiobook series could be a sign that Rowling is trying to capitalize on the franchise’s success while she can. “Reading between the lines, this seems like Rowling squeezing every last drop from the Harry Potter orange before WBD inevitably buys her out to get her out of the way,” Sneider wrote, suggesting that the original cast might return once Rowling is no longer involved.

The new audiobook series, produced by Rowling’s Pottermore Publishing, will bring hundreds of voice actors together to narrate all seven novels. Set to launch on Amazon’s Audible service in late 2025, the series adds another layer to the ongoing conversation about Rowling’s involvement with the franchise.

Do you think JK Rowling’s role in the franchise will impact the Harry Potter reboot?