Warner Bros. has appointed Tom Ascheim to oversee all of the company’sHarry Potterprojects. His responsibilities will include not only film projects, but overseeing all Wizarding World properties including theme park locations, and theHarry Potter and the Cursed Childstage play.
Ascheim, who is also president of kids, young adults, and classics with WarnerMedia, will also serve as representative of the company in relations withHarry Pottercreator J.K. Rowling. The announcement that came Thursday and was reported byVarietydidn’t include anyfuture plans for theHarry Potterfranchise, but the currentFantastic Beasts and Where to Find Themfilm series is ongoing with the next film planned for 2022.
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Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Themhas been a subject of controversy for multiple reasons in recent years. TheHarry Potterprequel originally starred Johnny Depp as the character of Grindelwald, however following his failed libel lawsuit with Britain’sThe Sunhe was let go from the series. The case was born out of a very intense divorce between Depp and his ex-wife actress Amber Heard, where there were allegations of physical abuse against both parties. Fans and supporters of Depp were extremely angry when he was let go fromFantastic Beastsamid this controversy.
J.K. Rowling has also been a source of criticism, getting into hot water over many comments on social media that appear to be transphobic. She has implied that transgender women can be a threat to the livelihoods of cisgender women, and even featured a serial killer who is a cisgender man that dresses as a woman to stalk his victims in her latest novelTroubled Blood. Fans ofHarry Potterwere very disappointed and confused by her stance on the issue,with many of them boycotting the franchise.
Despite the controversy,Harry Potteris undoubtedlystill very widely loved and very successful, and Ascheim himself claims that he’s a longtime fan. “I’m honored to now be leading the very talented individuals and teams who have done such a great job in growing this brand and its meaning and value to fans everywhere," he says. “I look forward to going even further in exploring and expanding all of the opportunities we have in this incredible world.”
