The controversy surrounding Keira Knightley’s response to being asked about the ‘boycott’ of JK Rowling has taken a new turn, with the video of her answer being released.
Knightley was cast as Dolores Umbridge in the upcoming new audiobook of Rowling’s book series, cast alongside a star-studded cast including James McAvoy, Ruth Wilson, Simon Pegg, Kit Harrington, Leo Woodall, and Matt Berry.
The Pirates of the Caribbean star drew ire after being asked about joining the cast in an interview for her new Netflix film The Woman in Cabin 10.
Knightley was asked by Decider about the ongoing boycott of Harry Potter over JK Rowling’s position on transgender rights in the UK.
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This follows an ongoing controversy that has seen Rowling repeatedly misgender transgender activist India Willoughby, saying she would 'rather be arrested' than use a trans persons pronouns, as well as supporting controversial ‘gender-critical’ figures such as Graham Linehan and Posie Parker.
When asked about this boycott, Knightley said: “I was not aware of that, no. I'm very sorry. You know, I think we're all living in a period of time right now where we're all going to have to figure out how to live together, aren't we?
"We’ve all got very different opinions. I hope that we can all find respect.”
The video of this has since been released and has seen fans say that it is ‘even worse’ than they thought.
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Reposted to Reddit after Decider posted it to Instagram, one fan said: “The video of her response to this was so much worse than the transcript.”
Others noted that in the video, it appears as she may have been being sarcastic about not having heard about the boycott, laughing after saying she is ‘very sorry’.
A second fan commented calling it a ‘bizarre reaction’, with another saying: “Oh she looks mad to have even been asked the question. Well that’s the risk you take when taking the job.”
One fan commented saying they were ‘disappointed’ in the actor after seeing the video. They said: “Extremely weird and awkward response. I’m pretty disappointed in Keira tbh. Don’t know what I was basing this on but I thought she was better than this.
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“I thought she was more in the realm of the Harry Potter kids who have (mostly) publicly rejected JK Rowling. Guess I was very mistaken.”
Knightley represents the latest celebrity to be drawn into controversy over Rowling’s views, with Emma Watson having been publicly chastised by the author for offering her an olive branch in a recent podcast appearance.
Nick Frost, who will play Hagrid in the upcoming HBO TV show reboot, spoke about the backlash he received following his casting saying that he’d turned off comments on his social media.
He went on to add: “She's allowed her opinion, and I'm allowed mine, they just don't align in any way, shape or form.
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“But maybe it shouldn't blow over? We shouldn't just hope it will go away because it makes it easier.
“Maybe we should educate ourselves.”
Topics: Celebrity, Harry Potter, JK Rowling, TV and Film, Social Media
Michael Slavin