Emma Watson looked chic as she arrives in France for the 78th Cannes Film Festival on Wednesday. 

The actress, 35, who wore an elegant floral printed dress, appeared to brush off the recent drama surrounding JK Rowling’s views on gender rights. 

Harry Potter author Rowling posted an essay about signatories ‘motivated by fear’ after th franchise’s  stars signed a pro-trans open letter, with Emma later sharing a cryptic message on Instagram about fascism. 

Smiling as she touched down at Nice Airport, Emma paired her vintage-look dress with a black cardigan. 

She topped off her outfit with a pair of black ballet flats, a slick of red lipstick and a pair of sunglasses. 

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Emma Watson looked chic as she arrives in France for the 78th Cannes Film Festival on Wednesday

Emma Watson looked chic as she arrives in France for the 78th Cannes Film Festival on Wednesday

The actress, 35, who wore an elegant floral printed dress, appeared to brush off the recent drama surrounding JK Rowling's views on gender rights

The actress, 35, who wore an elegant floral printed dress, appeared to brush off the recent drama surrounding JK Rowling’s views on gender rights

Earlier this month, JK Rowling, 59, posted an essay to state that ‘nobody sane believes, or has ever believed, that humans can change sex, or that binary sex isn’t a material fact’. 

It came just days after Emma broke her silence amid Rowling’s public support of last month’s Supreme Court ruling on gender. 

In a cryptic message on Instagram, the actor posted: ‘To the person who said they like me best when I am not ranting about politics: I like me best when I am not ignoring fascism.’ 

Emma, who played Hermione Granger in the multi-billion-pound movie franchise, has been among those speaking out in the past in opposition to the writer’s opinions on gender.

While she did not refer to the recent judgment, her post came after more than 400 industry professionals signed the open letter. 

Days prior, Harry Potter star Sean Biggerstaff savaged Rowling on social media, calling her an ‘obsessed billionaire’ and ‘bigoted’ for her views on trans rights. 

The comments followed last month’s Supreme Court ruling that in the 2010 Equality Act, the definition of the term ‘women’ relates only to biological women. Rowling, who has been outspoken on gender issues for years, publicly supported the ruling. 

In a new essay, Rowling has made cryptic reference to ‘back-stabbing colleagues ever ready to report wrongthink’, but did not confirm who she was referring to. 

Rowling posted an essay about signatories 'motivated by fear' after Harry Potter stars signed a pro-trans open letter, with Emma later sharing a cryptic message on Instagram about fascism

Rowling posted an essay about signatories ‘motivated by fear’ after Harry Potter stars signed a pro-trans open letter, with Emma later sharing a cryptic message on Instagram about fascism 

Smiling as she touched down at Nice Airport, Emma paired her vintage-look dress with a black cardigan

Smiling as she touched down at Nice Airport, Emma paired her vintage-look dress with a black cardigan

She topped off her outfit with a pair of black ballet flats, a slick of red lipstick and a pair of sunglasses

She topped off her outfit with a pair of black ballet flats, a slick of red lipstick and a pair of sunglasses

She added: ‘I wonder if they ever ask themselves how they got here, and I wonder whether any of them will ever feel shame.’ 

Last week, star of HBO‘s Harry Potter reboot Paapa Essiedu turned on Rowling in a letter standing ‘in solidarity’ with members of the LGBT+ community ‘impacted’ by the recent Supreme Court gender ruling. 

Paapa, who has been cast as Severus Snape in the upcoming series, was one of several signatories of the letter addressed to film and TV industry bodies encouraging them to support the trans community.   

Seemingly referencing the open letter this weekend, Rowling wrote in her essay that ‘signatories of these sorts of letters are motivated by fear’, after 400 industry professionals including other actors from the franchise also signed. 

The author added: ‘I often wonder whether the signatories of such letters have to quieten their consciences before publicly boosting a movement intent on removing women’s and girls’ rights, which bullies gay people who admit openly they don’t want opposite sex partners, and campaigns for the continued sterilisation of vulnerable and troubled kids. 

‘Do they feel any qualms at all while chanting the foundational lie of their religion: Trans Women are Women, Trans Men are Men?’ 

Essiedu is set to star as Hogwarts teacher Snape, who was previously played by the late Alan Rickman in the film series, in a TV adaption of Rowling’s famous novels, which will reportedly start filming this summer.

Earlier this month, JK Rowling , 59, posted an essay to state that 'nobody sane believes, or has ever believed, that humans can change sex, or that binary sex isn't a material fact' (Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Rowling and Emma Watson in May 2004)

Earlier this month, JK Rowling , 59, posted an essay to state that ‘nobody sane believes, or has ever believed, that humans can change sex, or that binary sex isn’t a material fact’ (Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Rowling and Emma Watson in May 2004)

Emma, who played Hermione Granger in the multi-billion-pound movie franchise, has been among those speaking out in the past in opposition to the writer's opinions on gender

Emma, who played Hermione Granger in the multi-billion-pound movie franchise, has been among those speaking out in the past in opposition to the writer’s opinions on gender

Last week, Paapa Essiedu star of HBO 's Harry Potter reboot turned on Rowling in a letter standing 'in solidarity' with members of the LGBT + community 'impacted' by the ruling

Last week, Paapa Essiedu star of HBO ‘s Harry Potter reboot turned on Rowling in a letter standing ‘in solidarity’ with members of the LGBT + community ‘impacted’ by the ruling 

Harry Potter star Sean Biggerstaff (pictured at a signing in February) savaged JK Rowling on social media, calling her out for her 'bigoted' views on transgender rights

Harry Potter star Sean Biggerstaff (pictured at a signing in February) savaged JK Rowling on social media, calling her out for her ‘bigoted’ views on transgender rights

The London born actor’s appointment sparked criticism from some fans while others defended him against what they called a ‘racist backlash’.

The seven hit books which were originally made into films starring Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson and Rupert Grint will now be made into seven seasons.

The HBO TV show is said to be costing £75million an episode and the three child actors could land themselves even bigger fortunes than the original stars.

The new series aims to ‘lead a new generation of fandom’ and hopes to recapture the beloved details Harry Potter fans have enjoyed for 25 years.

It could have been a touching full circle moment that would have seen Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint and Emma Watson reunite as part of the franchise for the first time since the release of Deathly Hallows Part 2 in 2011.

The reason many of the roles have been re-cast is because the original stars such as Robbie Coltrane, Richard Harris, Dame Maggie Smith and Alan Rickman have passed away. There is nothing to say that the reboot needs to have an entirely new set of actors.

But it has become increasingly apparent that the chance of a reunion or any sort of cameo seems less than likely, given their very public feud with JK Rowling who is executive producer on the HBO series.

Rowling alongside Radcliffe, Watson and Grint at the world premiere in London of Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows Part 2 in July 2011

Rowling alongside Radcliffe, Watson and Grint at the world premiere in London of Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows Part 2 in July 2011

Only last month, she appeared to take aim at the three stars who owe her their careers when she replied to a tweet asking: ‘What actor/actress instantly ruins a movie for you?’

Without missing a beat, Rowling cryptically wrote: ‘Three guesses. Sorry, but that was irresistible.’

The author’s relationship has deteriorated with the original cast following her remarks about the trans community in 2020, in which she said she believed women were defined by their biological sex and not their gender identity.

She strongly denies that she is transphobic.

Daniel confirmed he and Rowling no longer speak after the writer insisted she would never forgive the younger stars of the film franchise for speaking out against her views on trans rights.

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