Andrew Garfield Calls J.K. Rowling "She Who Must Not Be Named"
Spider-Man enters the Wizarding World, but he’s not here to make friends. Andrew Garfield reveals why he’s finally watching Harry Potter and why he’s calling J.K. Rowling "She That Shall Remain Nameless."
In a world where the Harry Potter film franchise is a permanent fixture of pop culture, the war of words surrounding its creator, J.K. Rowling, shows no signs of a "Pax" spell. The latest heavy hitter to jump into the fray is Andrew Garfield (42), the man behind the mask in The Amazing Spider-Man. In a no-holds-barred interview with Hits Radio last weekend, Garfield made it clear that when it comes to the author, he’s adopting a strict "Voldemort policy."
In a confession that might make some millennials gasp, Garfield admitted he was one of the last people on Earth to actually sit down and watch the Harry Potter films. Having finally caught up on the wizarding world, the actor was pleasantly surprised.
"He [Radcliffe] is really good in those movies," Garfield shared, praising the "soul and spirit" of the cinematic production. But while he’s a new fan of the Boy Who Lived, he’s definitely not a fan of the woman who wrote him.
The praise stopped abruptly when the conversation turned to Rowling, who has spent the last few years at the center of a global firestorm over her comments regarding the transgender community. In a move that was equal parts cheeky and pointed, Garfield refused to even utter her name, instead using the moniker reserved for the series' ultimate villain.
"We shouldn't be funneling money into the pockets of inhumane legislation through 'She Who Must Not Be Named,'" Garfield declared.
His critique wasn't just about social media posts; he specifically targeted the economic and political power Rowling wields, suggesting that supporting her brand indirectly funds agendas he views as harmful.
Don't Throw the Mandrake Out with the Bathwater
Despite his sharp words for the author, Garfield isn't ready to "Evanesco" the entire franchise. He echoed a sentiment many conflicted fans hold: the art can be separated from the artist.
"The themes of the films and the people who worked on them are just incredible," he explained. "I feel like we can't throw the baby out with the bathwater."
For Garfield, the magic of the movies, and the hard work of actors like Radcliffe, is worth keeping, even if the person at the top of the Gringotts vault is someone he’d rather keep anonymous.
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