Harry Potter stars Evanna Lynch, Tom Felton and Matthew Lewis attended a theme park launch in Tokyo on Thursday.
The trio, who played Luna Lovelang, Draco Malfoy and Neville Longbbermans respectively, used their star power at the opening ceremony of the theme park ‘Warner Bros. Studio Tour Tokyo: The Making of Harry Potter’.
Leaving her Hogwarts cape and wand at home, Evanna looked sensational in a thigh-skimming lilac minidress that made the most of her lithe legs, while her co-stars looked suave in trendy ensembles as they met with fans.
The group waved the flag for their co-stars, posed for cameras and spoke at the event that served to unveil the new attraction.
The website reads: ‘Warner Bros. Studio Tour Tokyo opened on June 16, 2023 at the former Toshimaen site, offering fans the ultimate opportunity to travel behind the scenes of the Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts films to learn more about the remarkable film world production.
Happy days: Harry Potter stars Evanna Lynch, Tom Felton and Matthew Lewis were in action in Tokyo on Thursday at a theme park launch
This is the largest indoor Harry Potter attraction in the world and the first Warner Bros. Studio Tour kicking off in Asia…
Building on the success of Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter, which has welcomed more than 17 million visitors since opening in 2012, the Studio Tour Tokyo features exclusive sets only available at this location.”
The eight Potter films grossed more than £6 billion at the box office between 2001 and 2011 and spawned the seven JK Rowling book series published between 1997 and 2007, winning worldwide mania and winning millions of fans.
Evanna made her debut as goofy Luna in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix in 2007 and starred in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince in 2009, and in both Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – 2010’s Part 1 and 2011’s Part 2.
Tom and Matthew, meanwhile, starred in all eight films as Harry’s nemesis Draco and bumbling Neville, making them fan hits around the world.
The outing comes after Evanna spoke out in support of author JK Rowling after the author continued to face backlash over her alleged “transphobic” views.
The actress said she had been naive in supporting Rowling in 2020, but now wishes more people would listen to her.
Evanna, who won the role of Luna after her battle with anorexia using supportive letters from JK herself, said the “problem is that there’s a disagreement about who’s most vulnerable.”
Blast: The trio, who played Luna Lovegood, Draco Malfoy and Neville Lubbermans respectively, used their star power at the opening ceremony of the ‘Warner Bros. Studio Tour Tokyo: The Making of Harry Potter theme park
Elegant: Evanna looked stunning in her chic mini dress
Who’s That Girl: Evanna made her debut as goofy Luna in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix in 2007 (depicted in 2009’s Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince)
Ms Rowling entered the trans debate in 2020 when she criticized the use of the phrase “people who menstruate” in an article and then wrote a personal essay defending her views on sex and gender.
The author, who also writes crime under the pseudonym Robert Galbraith, dismissed claims in February that the trans feud would overshadow her Harry Potter legacy.
Evanna told The Telegraph that the debate was difficult and she understood what it meant to be “too excited” to hold a conversation.
Happy days: they waved the flag for the show
Stylish: Tom looked trendy in his ensemble
Wicked: Tom played Draco Malfoy in all eight films
“I was very naive when I was dragged into that conversation. I didn’t even know there were two sides. I had an image of, like, good and bad. I feel sorry for both sides of the discussion.”
Referring to her experience with anorexia as a teenager, she added, “I know what it was like to be a teenager who hated my body so much I wanted to get out of my skin, so I have a lot of compassion for trans people and I don’t “don’t want to add to their pain.”
She said it was important for Ms Rowling to promote the voices of “detransitioners” – those who regret changing their gender and want to reverse the process.
The Irish actress said she was shocked by the reaction to Ms Rowling, “especially when she wrote her essay,” adding: “I just felt it’s always been her character to stand up for the most vulnerable members of society.” the society.
“The problem is that there is disagreement about who is most vulnerable. I wish people would just grace her more and listen to her.”
Evanna beat 15,000 other girls to get the role of Luna Lovegood in the later Harry Potter films.
The teen, who was struggling with an eating disorder, had sent a letter to JK Rowling at the age of 11 through the author’s publisher.
There they are! They beamed and waved to cameras and admirers
Sizzling: She looked elegant in the organza mini
Main role: Matthew played Neville Longbottom in all films (pictured with leading actors Emma Watson, Rupert Grint and Daniel Raddcliffe)
When a response came from Mrs. Rowling herself, the two struck up an unlikely pen pal, even as Mrs. Lynch was in a residential clinic for her eating disorder.
Two years later, Mrs. Lynch was scouring a Potter fan site when she came across a casting call for Luna.
Following Ms Rowling’s controversial 2020 tweet, Ms Lynch wrote an impassioned defense of the woman she calls a “mentor,” saying, “I will not help further marginalize trans women and men.
I think it’s irresponsible to discuss such a delicate subject via Twitter with fragmented thoughts and I wish Jo didn’t… That being said, as a friend and admirer of Jo’s I can’t forget what a generous and loving person she is .’
She sent Mrs. Rowling a copy of her 2021 memoir, The Opposite Of Butterfly Hunting: The Tragedy And The Glory Of Growing Up, saying she would be working on more Harry Potter projects.
Happy days: Takashi Goto, president of Seibu Holdings Inc., attended the opening ceremony
Back then: Matthew and Evanna can be seen at the 2009 Dublin premiere of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince