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Lilly Wachowski Criticizes Harry Potter Fans, Launches Anarchists United Studio
Lilly Wachowski, the co‑creator of The Matrix, Cloud Atlas and Netflix’s Sense8, used a Variety interview on June 12, 2026 to launch a new studio and foundation while condemning the fan base of HBO Max’s upcoming Harry Potter series. In the interview Wachowski said, “J.K. Rowling funds trans genocide, full stop. So, if you support Harry Potter, you’re supporting trans genocide. The money that goes into you enjoying these products, a portion of that money goes to J.K. Rowling and that money goes into her funding anti‑trans legislation all over the world.” She also called Rowling and Elon Musk “literal Nazis,” noting a “one‑to‑one connection between Elon Musk and the Nazi community” after Musk’s 2018 Roman salute at President Trump’s inauguration.
The comments come as the Harry Potter television series, a reboot of the 2001‑2011 film franchise, premiered on HBO Max in September 2026. The eight‑episode first season covers the seven books in the original series and is the first major original series from the streaming platform to be released in 2026. Warner Bros. Discovery confirmed that the series was produced without direct involvement from Rowling, who has not been credited as a writer or producer on the adaptation.
Wachowski’s remarks are part of a broader push she announced on the same day. Together with film programmer Sarah Marie Flores, she founded the Anarchists United Foundation and Anarchists United Studio. The foundation will provide grants to emerging filmmakers, with a stated goal of “radically changing the landscape of who gets money to make films.” The studio’s mission statement, released on the foundation’s website, emphasizes support for projects that center marginalized voices and challenge mainstream funding models.
Industry observers note that the launch of Anarchists United follows a trend of independent production companies seeking alternative financing routes. In 2024, several new studios announced similar grant‑based funding mechanisms aimed at under‑represented creators. The foundation’s first grant cycle, announced in July 2026, will award up to $500,000 in funding to 20 projects that meet its inclusion criteria.
The Harry Potter series itself has been a commercial focus for HBO Max, which announced in 2025 that the platform would invest $200 million in the production. The series is part of a broader strategy to expand Max’s original content library, which includes other fantasy and adventure titles such as The Witcher and The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power. According to a press release from Warner Bros. Discovery, the series is expected to attract an audience of 15 million viewers in its first 30 days.
Wachowski’s criticism of Rowling and Musk has drawn responses from both sides of the debate. Rowling’s spokesperson declined to comment on the allegations, while Musk’s public relations team issued a statement denying any Nazi affiliation and describing the Variety interview as “unsubstantiated.” The comments have sparked discussion on social media, with some fans of the Harry Potter franchise expressing support for the series and others voicing concerns about the political implications of the adaptation.
The Anarchists United Foundation’s launch has been covered by several industry publications. Variety reported that the foundation’s first board includes a mix of filmmakers, activists, and scholars who have worked on projects such as The Handmaid’s Tale and The Last Black Man in San Francisco. The studio’s inaugural project, announced in September 2026, is a 90‑minute documentary about the history of queer representation in science fiction.
The timing of Wachowski’s statements coincides with a period of increased scrutiny of large media conglomerates. In 2025, the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation held a hearing on the influence of streaming services on cultural production. The hearing included testimony from Warner Bros. Discovery executives who defended the company’s commitment to diversity and inclusion.
As the Harry Potter series continues to air, the conversation around its political context is likely to persist. The series’ release schedule, with new episodes dropping weekly, has kept the franchise in the public eye. Meanwhile, the Anarchists United Foundation is set to begin its first grant cycle in early 2027, with a focus on projects that challenge conventional narratives.
In summary, Lilly Wachowski’s recent interview highlighted her disapproval of the Harry Potter fan base and the political positions of J.K. Rowling and Elon Musk. At the same time, she announced a new foundation and studio aimed at diversifying film funding. The HBO Max series has already premiered, and its performance will be closely watched by both fans and critics as the industry continues to grapple with issues of representation and political influence.
The comments come as the Harry Potter television series, a reboot of the 2001‑2011 film franchise, premiered on HBO Max in September 2026. The eight‑episode first season covers the seven books in the original series and is the first major original series from the streaming platform to be released in 2026. Warner Bros. Discovery confirmed that the series was produced without direct involvement from Rowling, who has not been credited as a writer or producer on the adaptation.
Wachowski’s remarks are part of a broader push she announced on the same day. Together with film programmer Sarah Marie Flores, she founded the Anarchists United Foundation and Anarchists United Studio. The foundation will provide grants to emerging filmmakers, with a stated goal of “radically changing the landscape of who gets money to make films.” The studio’s mission statement, released on the foundation’s website, emphasizes support for projects that center marginalized voices and challenge mainstream funding models.
Industry observers note that the launch of Anarchists United follows a trend of independent production companies seeking alternative financing routes. In 2024, several new studios announced similar grant‑based funding mechanisms aimed at under‑represented creators. The foundation’s first grant cycle, announced in July 2026, will award up to $500,000 in funding to 20 projects that meet its inclusion criteria.
The Harry Potter series itself has been a commercial focus for HBO Max, which announced in 2025 that the platform would invest $200 million in the production. The series is part of a broader strategy to expand Max’s original content library, which includes other fantasy and adventure titles such as The Witcher and The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power. According to a press release from Warner Bros. Discovery, the series is expected to attract an audience of 15 million viewers in its first 30 days.
Wachowski’s criticism of Rowling and Musk has drawn responses from both sides of the debate. Rowling’s spokesperson declined to comment on the allegations, while Musk’s public relations team issued a statement denying any Nazi affiliation and describing the Variety interview as “unsubstantiated.” The comments have sparked discussion on social media, with some fans of the Harry Potter franchise expressing support for the series and others voicing concerns about the political implications of the adaptation.
The Anarchists United Foundation’s launch has been covered by several industry publications. Variety reported that the foundation’s first board includes a mix of filmmakers, activists, and scholars who have worked on projects such as The Handmaid’s Tale and The Last Black Man in San Francisco. The studio’s inaugural project, announced in September 2026, is a 90‑minute documentary about the history of queer representation in science fiction.
The timing of Wachowski’s statements coincides with a period of increased scrutiny of large media conglomerates. In 2025, the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation held a hearing on the influence of streaming services on cultural production. The hearing included testimony from Warner Bros. Discovery executives who defended the company’s commitment to diversity and inclusion.
As the Harry Potter series continues to air, the conversation around its political context is likely to persist. The series’ release schedule, with new episodes dropping weekly, has kept the franchise in the public eye. Meanwhile, the Anarchists United Foundation is set to begin its first grant cycle in early 2027, with a focus on projects that challenge conventional narratives.
In summary, Lilly Wachowski’s recent interview highlighted her disapproval of the Harry Potter fan base and the political positions of J.K. Rowling and Elon Musk. At the same time, she announced a new foundation and studio aimed at diversifying film funding. The HBO Max series has already premiered, and its performance will be closely watched by both fans and critics as the industry continues to grapple with issues of representation and political influence.
