Fantastic Beasts: JK Rowling Accused of Racism Backlash over Casting an Asian Actress as the snake Nagini

In the upcoming Fantastic Beasts sequel - "The Crimes of Grindelwald” revealed that Claudia Kim would play the Lord Voldemort's faithful snake Nagini. What is mentioning is this character was finally beheaded by Neville Longbottom in The Deathly Hallows.

Nigani is a Maledictus, meaning that she is a human woman with a blood curse which turns her into an animal. And later she will become a snake permanently.

Public Criticism

Right after the release of the trailer, fans have labeled it as a “racially insensitive” due to Nagini is a cursed woman in the lead role. Nagani becomes the villain’s evil pet - and Horcrux, according to Harry Porter timeline.

However, this casting has triggered the angry backlash among viewers. Author Ellen Oh posted on Twitter: “white people want to diversify and don't actually ask POC [people of color] how to do so”, and felt that was the problem. She even angrily tweeted, “That s**t is racist”. “Nagini’s role is a pet and an object (Horcrux) to white man Voldemort”, another wrote. “What makes you think it’s okay to cast an Asian woman in that role?” Fans of the wizarding world feel it’s problematic and overlook the casting.

Defending against criticism, the prolific author explained the Naga are snake-like mythical creatures of Indonesian mythology. Therefore, the name of Nagini featured half-human and half-snake. She also noted that Indonesia consists of numerous ethnic groups. Alongside the tweet was the gif of a man hitting a mute button. However, JK Rowling’s explanation wasn’t strong enough to defuse the tense situation. “Fantastic Beasts 2" previously faced controversy. There was extensive backlash over the casting of Johnny Depp despite the domestic violence accusations against him made by his ex-wife Amber Heard. Besides, fans hit out when Jude Law plays a young Albus Dumbledore, who Rowling commented as “openly gay.”

Are you looking forward to the “The Crimes of Grindelwald" releasing in theaters on November 16?