There are few franchises quite as beloved as Harry Potter. Beginning with J.K. Rowling's acclaimed series of novels, the Wizarding World has expanded greatly throughout the years, including film franchises, a theme park, and even a Broadway play. The Fantastic Beasts series is currently moving full speed ahead, with David Ayer's The Crimes of Grindelwald helping to expand the universe and its characters.
One newcomer to Crimes of Grindelwald is actress Claudia Kim, who will play the human form of Voldemort's Snake/Horocrux Nagini. Once her role was announced, there was some controversy from those claiming Nagini's subservient role was a step backward for Asian representation. Now Kim has responded to the issue, saying:
It was unexpected. When I found out that I'm playing Nagini, I thought it was meaningful because it's an important character in the Harry Potter series. Harry Potter is a franchise film with many caucasian actors, so I thought many Korean viewers would be happy. I'm looking forward to viewers being satisfied and the controversy fading away once the film premieres. I don't perceive such controversy solely in a negative way. I believe changes can be made by giving attention to an Asian's promotions (like this) and through the people that look into such issues.
It seems that Claudia Kim doesn't seem to understand the controversy around her role in Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald. On the contrary, she saw having an Asian woman in such a popular franchise was a step forward towards on screen representation. Clearly, there are many layers to this particular issue.
Claudia Kim's comments, courtesy of All K Pop, continue the conversation around Nagini's upcoming role in The Crimes of Grindelwald. While fans are eager to see how the young witch eventually transformed into Voldermort's horocrux and a murderous snake, some advocates took umbrage with an Asian woman playing essentially a servant to the Dark Lord.
In her same conversation, Claudia Kim remained steadfast in her thoughts about Nagini, and encouraged moviegoers and critics to see the film for themselves before they jump to conclusions about its mysterious contents. As she tells it,
I'm looking forward to viewers being satisfied and the controversy fading away once the film premieres. I don't perceive such controversy solely in a negative way. I believe changes can be made by giving attention to an Asian's promotions (like this) and through the people that look into such issues.
Claudia Kim's comments seem to echo that of her co-star Ezra Miller, who plays troubled young wizard Credence Barebone. Just days ago, Miller made his own blunt statement about the subject-- although he used more colorful language than Kim did. But the statement is the same: audiences should see The Crimes of Grindelwald in its entirety before jumping to conclusions about Nagini's role.
All will be revealed when Fantastic Beats: The Crimes of Grindelwald arrives in theaters on November 16th, 2019. In the meantime, check out our 2019 release list to plan your trips to the movies in the New Year.
