The English author J. K. Rowling once again courted controversy this month via twitter with an announcement that, in addition to Hermione being black, it was always her intention to portray Harry Potter as an asian woman, something which she 'just never got around to clarifying in the books'.

While largely accepted by a majority of fans, the announcement has sent Warner Bros. Pictures into a tailspin, currently partway into filming scenes for the final installment of the film series, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.

Rather than break their 8-movie contract with their title star, Daniel Radcliffe, and recast the role, the Studio instead made the decision to simply alter their actor appropriately, with their legal team stating 'Daniel's contract clearly stipulates the studio has the right to insist actors stay in shape for their roles. Last time we checked, 'asian woman' is technically a shape."

A court in Hollywood ruled in favour of the studio.

Perhaps one of the most vocal critics has been Daniel Radcliffe himself, who is reported to have sworn profusely while being dragged away to a clinic for forced feminization. The case establishes a legal precedent that may see further actors exposed to creative rewrites.

Left: Daniel seen during an attempted escape from the clinic, part way through treatment

Right: Production still for the upcoming movie