Tom Felton

[Butchyrestingface]

I see Pink News has got the bit between its teeth regarding Tom Felton's recent comments on JKR's alleged transphobia when talking about reprising his HP role on Broadway.

It didn't even sound like a resounding defence of JKR's position, more of a 'La la la la, I know nothing Jon Snow, I just want the money' position he was taking.

He did admit to being grateful to her, so I suppose he'll probably have to up his personal security now.

He's taken a fairly neutral position on the issue, which he is entitled to do.

Kudos to Tom Felton, who had the grace, self-knowledge and humility to admit that he owes JKR his wonderful luck in life, and moreover, that Harry Potter is an epoch-defining literary classic that's made millions of people engage with the soul boon that is reading.

That's more than I can say for the arrogant fools who played Hermione, Harry and Ron. To all of whom, incidentally, Felton is vastly superior as an actor.

I thought it was a pretty graceful reply. He'll have known how much abuse and criticism he was going go get for it. I've a lot of respect for him

Yes, he has. But neutrality isn't enough for these people. They want complete capitulation.

Some discussion here -

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/am_i_being_unreasonable/5352039-tom-felton-getting-stick-is-this-really-the-world-we-live-in-now?utm_campaign=thread&utm_medium=app_share

TBH on a broader note I do not and have never subscribed to this strange modern idea that actors and other celebs should take 'positions' on various political and geopolitical matters.

I don't think a brilliant ex-striker for Spurs has anything useful to say about the conflict between Israel and Hamas. I don't think a stage school graduate pop star has anything of import to contribute to scientific thinking on covid. I can live without the pontification and posturing of a mediocre period drama actress on the trans movement.

These people are sports players and entertainers. Mostly, they've been famous since a very young age and therefore don't have a good education, or a particularly rigorously trained mind. I want them to stick to what they're good at, and not feel like they have to performatively espouse the latest bien pensant opinion du jour.

My brother's a plumber, and a bloody successful one, but I wouldn't expect him to also strike up Hamlet's soliloquy when he's fixing someone's boiler. In the same way I think celebs should stick to their knitting too. Especially Dawn French. Jesus.

I did think we're in the mirror universe now, Harry Potter's the bad guy and Draco is the good guy, and JKR is Dumbledor. 🤣

Jason Isaacs sent him a message of support. Another bad guy gone to the good 👍

I actually find his claimed position to be implausible. Not the refusal to take a side but his claim to 'not be aware of it'. I really wish he'd just said that he felt under-informed on the issue, so would not be wed to a position. This would have been more credible than his claim that he was blissfully unaware of gravity or light, figuratively speaking.

I'm GC and pro 'right not to have a take'. Free speech also means we shouldn't compel speech. But given that he spoke, I'm of the opinion he flubbed it a touch.

TRAs have long had it out for him since he refused to go along with the trio and condemn JKR. He's always sang her praises, which annoys them further, and I suspect from the character assassination campaigns against him that he knows very well which is the sane side.

I remember one interview where he was demanded to share his thoughts on troonery and an assistant had to step in and said they weren't taking any questions on it. Wise, IMO, and more actors could learn from not blabbing their moronic opinions all over the place.

@ANameChangePresents Yes, I agree he was being disingenous (at the least) there. I don't exactly blame him, in a way - don't know that I'd have any more courage in the same situation.

@Plasticwaste I remember that interview.

Also recall another Tom (Burke) admitting he'd asked for media training from the BBC on how to handle questions about JKR. He obviously doesn't want to bite the hands that feeds him either but equally, doesn't want to be cancelled by the lunatic fringe element.

I wish more actors would take his approach. The only way to teach the TRAs their bullying won't work, is to stop capitulating to it and cringing in fear every time they start up a Twitter storm.

If more actors had the courage to say nothing and let it blow over, it would, well . . . blow over.

I like him for being like this. He’s absolutely entitled to keep his thoughts private. I will say though, all he seems to do is post or talk about Harry Potter, now he’s in the cursed child playing adult Draco. Has he ever done anything else?

@whyville he's been the face of the Tower Of London / Gunpowder plot for years as well.

He was the younger brother in the borrowers before HP. Can still see him in the bottle now "but I don't like milk" 😂
Like the twins he's accepted he can make alot from the HP world.
I agree he could have expressed it better, he's right though without her there is no guarantee any of them would have the fortunes they have.
Love her or hate her, she is the wizarding world.

Felton is great, yes. Radcliffe has had a hugely successful stage career though. And HP was far from his first job.
I don’t agree with JK on a lot of things. I do think Felton is hilarious though. The way he talks about playing/being Draco and the people he worked with at such an important time growing up is delightful.

Regardless of sides he should be allowed his opinion. Just as Miriam Margolyes is allowed hers that adult Potter fans should grow up.

I’ve only ever seen the borrowers once and never took this in. Will definitely rewatch haha. He is always grateful for what JK has given him which is nice to see. I know Dan Emma etc disagree with Rowling but it sucks to see them completely turn their back on her. Tom has stayed quiet about her views while still acknowledging how grateful he is to her.

it annoys me when influencers who disapprove of Rowling accept free tickets to Harry Potter world and say “oh well I can still like Harry Potter while not acknowledging and disliking her” - er no Louise pentland, no you can’t, Jk Rowling IS the wizarding world

That’s actually an interesting point on the separating art from the artist.
There are some that I’d argue you definitely can’t (I no longer listen to the LostProphets for example and Oasis don’t play Hello anymore - had a Gary Glitter reference) but I’d also not suggest that anyone listening to Wagner supported anti-Semitism.
I find it far more strange that people are prepared to work with/listen to Chris Brown the violent, woman beating thug than the fact that people like Nick Frost have said they don’t agree with JK but are looking forward to playing Hagrid.
An interesting one to think about further.
I saw the play back in 2018. Enjoyed both parts and I wish Tom Felton all the luck in the world.

I adore him and intend to go see him in NYC so I'm so glad he's remained strong and not been bullied into throwing her under the bus. At least, so far.

Part of me wishes he'd tell all the sniveling little mutants to mind their own business and stop bugging him but realistically he's better remaining team neutral.

It's obvious he supports jk though, imo. As along term fan, it's what my gut tells me. Could just be wishful thinking of course.