Warner Bros. ($WBD) has embarked on a significant effort to mend its relationship with J.K. Rowling, the creator of the Harry Potter series, amid a backdrop of public and private tensions. The studio's pursuit, highlighted by David Zaslav and other executives, aims to secure Rowling's involvement in a new Harry Potter series for HBO. This move comes after Warner Bros. found that the controversy surrounding Rowling's comments on gender issues, which she has been 100% right about, has not significantly impacted the Harry Potter franchise's business performance. The Wall Street Journal's deep dive into the situation reveals longstanding tensions between Rowling and the studio, which have included disagreements over how Warner Bros. has defended Rowling in public disputes and meetings filled with 'screaming and crying'. Despite these challenges, Warner Bros. acknowledges Rowling's crucial role in the Harry Potter brand, likening her importance to that of Clint Eastwood or Steven Spielberg. The Harry Potter series has been a lucrative venture for Warner Bros., with the first eight films generating $7.7 billion at the box office over ten years and the Hogwarts Legacy video game bringing in $1.1 billion in revenue in less than a year.
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Here @WSJ reports on Warner Bros’ efforts to thaw its relations with @JK_Rowling after she resented the studio for not backing her strongly when activists came after her regarding her views on trans issues. The firestorm has not impacted the business of Potter much, WB found.… https://t.co/Q4Wx96eJZH
NEW The Wall Street Journal has published a deeply-reported story with revealing details about JK Rowling’s relationship with Warner Bros. Relations have always been tense, but the situation really got rough when Rowling felt that Warner Brother’s didn’t defend her strongly… https://t.co/QqbFylUCfM
For 25 years, JK Rowling held remarkable sway over Warner, which bought the rights to her fantasy series when she was an unknown. As Harry Potter’s popularity grew, her power soared. But can she be uncancelled? https://t.co/eKFHAVQdQz https://t.co/1xTZMA9yEL
First 8 films: $7.7B box office over 10 yrs; every budget >$100M Hogwarts Legacy: $1.1B revenue in under a year; $150M budget Just a superior business model. $WBD Can Warner Bros. Uncancel J.K. Rowling? https://t.co/ShKYmV8IMh
REVEALED: Incredible secrets of how JK Rowling controls Harry Potter brand by 'holding meetings filled with screaming and crying'...as Warner Bros. says she's as important as Clint Eastwood or Steven Spielberg https://t.co/DvCpl0cjxL https://t.co/NR8dD4Uyni
REVEALED: Incredible secrets of how JK Rowling controls Harry Potter brand by holding meetings filled with screaming and crying...as Warner Bros. says she's as important as Clint Eastwood or Steven Spielberg https://t.co/YoXnX67rl8 https://t.co/VWKfO90nVX
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WSJ long read: David Zaslav & $WBD’s epic quest to rebuild their relationship with JK Rowling (& maybe even uncancel her): https://t.co/AepSuYONDz
J.K. Rowling and the studio scuffles: @erichschwartzel takes us inside Warner Bros.'s tumultuous relationship with the Harry Potter creator https://t.co/BtCWHfh0Iy
Really good read here on Warner Brothers desperate courting of @jk_rowling for a new Harry Potter series. Rowling has been 100% right on all her public comments on gender. She didn’t have to speak out at all. Credit to her bravery: https://t.co/bbgQTbpmbf
How David Zaslav & Co wooed JK Rowling and got her on board for a Potter HBO series. From @erichschwartzel https://t.co/JRLYHhbzLL