Posted on 04/27/2022 2:13:26 PM PDT by nickcarraway
When you consider some of the biggest and most lucrative movie franchises of the 21st century, no doubt, the likes of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Star Wars and The Fast and the Furious come to mind. It’s easy to forget, however, that just over a decade ago the answer to this question would be much different, with the Harry Potter franchise dominating the contemporary box office, raking in $7.73 billion in total from 2001 to 2011.
Creating a fervent excitement from children and adults alike across the world, the Harry Potter books and movies, now included under the ‘Wizarding World’ umbrella, created an internationally recognised brand that has since splintered off into the emergence of theme parks, theatrical experiences and video games. Though, whilst the brand continued to bulge, the material of the Wizarding World remained stagnant, with little for fans to consume other than the original Harry Potter movies.
Written by the then-beloved author of the original books, J. K. Rowling, the release of Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them in 2016 was supposed to spark a new era for the franchise, fueling, in turn, more merchandise, more material and more fandom. Instead, with the release of the third film in the series in 2022, it appears as though the Fantastic Beasts movies have done more to tarnish the brand than enhance its quality.
The tragedy of the ‘Fantastic Beasts’ franchise Read More
Based in part on J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter tie-in guidebook of the same name, the Fantastic Beasts series was one built on false promises, with none of the meticulous plotting of the novels to rely on, despite the author herself writing the screenplay. The films are instead a messy mosaic of ill-fitting characters, needless storylines and scant originality that relies on nothing more than morsels of Wizarding World trivia to justify its existence.
If the material of the movies weren’t enough, actor Johnny Depp was kicked from the production of the second film in the series The Secrets of Dumbledore in November 2020 due to her ongoing lawsuit with Amber Heard that marked him as a potential domestic abuser. In addition, J.K Rowling sparked an internet firestorm in 2019 when she posted tweets deemed to be transphobic by the internet community.
“People who menstruate. I’m sure there used to be a word for those people. Someone help me out. Wumben? Wimpund? Woomud?” the writer commented on Twitter in 2020, causing outrage from the LGBTQ community and others. Meanwhile, as recently as March 7th, 2022, Rowling came against recent legislation for women and girls, discussing the “likely negative consequences,” if the bill were to pass that made it easier for transgender people to identify as their chosen gender.
Popularly disliked in the modern zeitgeist, Rowling no longer holds the cultural weight she once did, with many disregarding her opinion and stance, unwilling to support the views and work of a ‘transphobe’. In consequence, many boycotted the latest Fantastic Beasts movie, and with The Secrets of Dumbledore on course to barely break even and make back its staggering $200 million budget.
Clutching hold of the franchise, Rowling is suffocating the Wizarding World with an anaconda’s squeeze, draining it of its eccentricity, pleasure and, ultimately, its magic.
With the third film in the Fantastic Beasts series likely to be the last, now would be the perfect time for J.K Rowling to relinquish control of the Wizarding World brand, with a George Lucas-type deal worth billions.
Much like Lucas created a beloved series from the ground up in Star Wars, then proceeded to leave the stagnant franchise shortly after the release of the prequel trilogy in 2005, J.K Rowling is in a position where she can make more money by handing the franchise over, rather than struggling with constant creative toil. Without control, Warner Bros would have the final say in all Wizarding World projects, including movies, video games and much more, breathing new life into a series that is begging for reinvention.
For the perfect nostalgia play, the company could consider, for example, a film series about ‘The Order of the Phoenix’ in which the younger versions of beloved characters such as Albus Dumbledore, James Potter, Lily Potter, Rubeus Hagrid and many more return to the big screen. Or, how about focusing on the international wizarding schools that were barely explored in The Goblet of Fire, or even the high-flying potential of a Quidditch sports flick?
The Wizarding World radiates creative promise, with a wealth of colourful ideas and eccentric characters to follow and explore, but the first step to allow Warner Bros to explore such prosperity is to offer the dishonoured gatekeeper a handsome fee.
“Much like Lucas created a beloved series from the ground up in Star Wars, then proceeded to leave the stagnant franchise shortly after the release of the prequel trilogy in 2005,”
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Total nonsense. I work for Disney and everyone there knows Lucas did NOT entirely just hanbd over total control to Disme. THX1138, Lucasfilm and ILM are involved ALL THE TIME, which was a specific clause in the property rights. Lucas knew he will object if they turned Darth Vader into a fag, as an example.
I will give JKR credit though, she was stuck to her guns on this one. I figured as soon as she got some push back she would be giving the, "After discussions with the Trans communities, I have been educated and my views have changed, the next Harry Potter book will be about Harry's change in to Henrietta to prove I'm not transphobic."
Well, he should have stood in Kennedy’s way then. She really wrecked Star Wars.
There is NO way in hell that the Harry Potter frachise should be lost to anyone.It’s her property.She can do what she wants.
From a small UK rag nobody’s heard of.
With the third film in the Fantastic Beasts series likely to be the last, now would be the perfect time for J.K Rowling to relinquish control of the Wizarding World brand, with a George Lucas-type deal worth billions.
Much like Lucas created a beloved series from the ground up in Star Wars, then proceeded to leave the stagnant franchise shortly after the release of the prequel trilogy in 2005, J.K Rowling is in a position where she can make more money by handing the franchise over, rather than struggling with constant creative toil. Without control, Warner Bros would have the final say in all Wizarding World projects, including movies, video games and much more, breathing new life into a series that is begging for reinvention.
Not sure I follow the reasoning. I like Star Wars but haven’t really followed all of the various prequels and back story movies and all of that. But some Star Wars fans I know say the series just isn’t the same.
If we use the Star Wars template, is J.K. Rowling supposed to sell out to make money, and let someone else do something different with her works? Why?
Or is all of this a smoke screen, because of their outrage that she isn’t on board with all this transsexual business, and this is supposed to be her punishment???? What’s really going on here???
Wasn’t Depp crushed by the MEETOO movement?
They’re trying to make J.K. Rowling into the author who shall not be named. LOL
She is guilty of being a Feminist. I never thought I would see this. Liberals hating Feminists
So “transphobes” should forfeit their property rights? How long before they should forfeit their freedom? And their lives? Is that where we’re going? When will being ‘canceled’ mean being terminated?
George Lucas is a terrible example to give. Disney raped his franchise and shullfu$$ked its carcass. Looking at that example is enough for her to say “no way”.
Plus she has plenty of money and has no need to give up her baby. The deal with Universal Parks gives her billions and will continue to do so, as they continue to expand the parks with new rides based on HER characters.
If she relinquishes control, Hollywood pedophiles will use her franchise to groom young innocent children for their perverse acts. I doubt she wants that on her conscience. Being worth a billion dollars, what more does she need?
Gotta say.. I know nothing of Harry Potter. Animation or live character? No idea.
The lack of struggle and defeats for the protagonist betrays a lack of understanding of the most basic storytelling skills.
Also Johnny Depp wasn’t kicked off the 2nd movie, it was the current 3rd movie and his replacement cost them $15 million as he had filmed one day and they had to pay off his contract.
"Them" you speak of should withdraw themselves to the android zuckerberg's
virtual reality metaverse and leave authentic reality to those that live and breathe it.
Commies believe everything should belong to the collective, except for their stuff, of course.
Please, no.
Nothing good ever came from letting corrupt and stupid corporations take creative control from an actual creative person.
Ironic the author mentions the George Lucas selloff of Star Wars which resulted in a creative dumpster fire.
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