J.K Rowling responds after Harry Potter director says reunion ‘will never happen’ due to her views

J.K.Rowling has replied to the claim made by a Harry Potter director that a reunion 'will never happen' due to her views about trans people.

Chris Columbus directed the first two films in the blockbuster Harry Potter series, The Philosopher's Stone and The Chamber Of Secrets. For many years now, fans have hoped that the original cast will get back together, but Columbus insists it's 'impossible' because of Rowling's views.

Columbus previously revealed he'd love to do a film version of the stage play, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, with the original child stars Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint and Emma Watson.

However, he now said 'It's never going to happen with all that political stuff'.

He told The Times: "Everyone in the cast has their own opinion, which is different from her opinion, which makes it impossible."

The director of the first two films has insisted a reunion with the original stars would be 'impossible' due to Rowling's views (Murray Close/ Getty Images)

Columbus continued: "I haven't spoken to Miss Rowling in a decade or so, so I have no idea what’s going on with her, but I keep very close contact with Daniel Radcliffe and I just spoke to him a few days ago, I still have a great relationship with all the kids in the cast."

The author Rowling has been accused of being transphobic on many occasions for her views on gender identity, and for saying trans women shouldn't be allowed into female-only spaces.

Rowling has now replied to Columbus on X, seemingly alluding to the comments made by the former director: "As another man who once worked with me declares himself saddened by my beliefs on gender and sex, I thought it might be useful to compile a list for handy reference. Which of the following do you imagine makes actors and directors who aren’t involved with the HBO reboot of Harry Potter so miserable?"

She then shared a very long list of her ideas and views which she thought contributed to why various cast members and former colleagues have spoken out.

The post included things that Rowling has vouched for in the past, such as women and girls having their own public changing rooms and bathrooms, female-only rape crisis centres, and that 'language should reflect reality rather than ideological jargon, especially in a medical context'.

She replied to a supporter, saying: "Nothing upsets a weak man more than a woman who makes him feel his cowardice. This is as true of supposed iconoclasts who live in terror of losing the approval of the in-crowd as it is of domestic abusers."

Rowling has hit back at criticism from former cast members and colleagues (X/JK_Rowling)

One fan of hers said that they believed many of her critics would apologise in years to come for disagreeing with her.

Rowling replied: "The fallback, which I’ve already heard several times, will be, ‘I didn’t disagree, I just didn’t like the way you were saying it.’ This, from men who publicly supported a movement threatening women with job loss, violence, rape and death for daring to defend their rights."

Another answered: "I’ll make a wild guess and say it’s because they weren’t asked to be involved in the HBO reboot and needed a fashionable reason to save professional face while trying to appear noble and virtuous."

Rowling replied without naming any names, alleging: "One of them tried very hard to enlist my help in getting a major part in it. Only after he didn’t get it did he decide it was time to put the boot in."

Emma Watson, who played Hermione Granger has previously said: “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," while Harry Potter actor Daniel Radcliffe wrote an essay for The Trevor Project where he apologised 'for the pain' caused by Rowling's comments.