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JK Rowling hits back at criticism for casting Asian actress in Fantastic Beasts: Crimes of Grindelwald
Some fans weren't happy about South Korean star Claudia Kim bagging the role of Nagini
AUTHOR JK Rowling has hit back at criticism for casting an Asian actress in the upcoming Fantastic Beasts flick.
Some fans weren't happy that South Korean star Claudia Kim landed the role of Nagini - a woman-turned-snake.
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The trailer for the upcoming film The Crimes Of Grindelwald was released earlier this week.
The blockbuster Harry Potter prequel is full of twists and turns - and one shocking revelation is that Lord Voldemort's snake, Nagini, actually used to be a human.
Eagle-eyed viewers spotted Credence, reprised by Ezra Miller, whisper the name “Nagini" before the shot cuts to a woman transforming into a slithering (or should we say Slytherin?) serpent in a cage.
The Fantastic Beasts franchise has previously been criticised for its largely white cast - but now people are questioning whether Kim is right for the part.
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One fan tweeted: "Listen Joanne, we get it, you didn't include enough representation when you wrote the books. But suddenly making Nagini into a Korean woman is garbage.
"Representation as an afterthought for more woke points is not good representation."
Another wrote: "I like Claudia Kim. I'm glad she's getting work and it seems like she has a cool take on the role. I'm sure she will bring humanity, dignity and vulnerability to Nagini. But also... Did it have to be Nagini?"
However, JK did not take it lying down. Yesterday she tweeted an explanation for her casting choice.
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"The Naga are snake-like mythical creatures of Indonesian mythology, hence the name Nagini," she tweeted.
"They are sometimes depicted as winged, sometimes as half-human, half-snake.
"Indonesia comprises a few hundred ethnic groups, including Javanese, Chinese and Betawi. Have a lovely day," followed by the snake emoji (nice touch).
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The Harry Potter author also revealed further background information about the character, who is a Maledictus.
She explained: "Maledictuses are always women, whereas werewolves can be either sex.
"The Maledictus carries a blood curse from birth, which is passed down from mother to daughter."
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She added that that Maledictus aren’t necessarily snakes, and that she's been keeping the secret about Nagini "only for around 20 years" - since the first Harry Potter novel.
Earlier this month we told how JK finally confirmed a Harry Potter fan theory about Hermione’s name.
Meanwhile fans of the boy wizard are freaking out over this mind-blowing dark theory about Dumbledore… and even J.K. Rowling says it fits.
Harry Potter and Ron Weasley first meet Hermione on Hogwarts Express
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