“This fame thing was getting to a point of no return”: Emma Watson Hated the Spotlight So Much She Decided She’d Rather Study Than Make One More Movie
Starting her career as Hermione Granger in the wizarding world of the Harry Potter film series, Emma Watson became a household name just at the age of 9. Although the film series gave her success and fame in the film industry, she intended to quit the franchise. Harry Potter producer David Heyman revealed that The Circle star wanted to quit playing Hermione Granger because she wanted to pursue her studies. Watson has always wanted to attend university to complete her education. During her interview with Vanity Fair, she revealed that she turned down several offers in order to graduate.
Studies Were Always a Priority For Emma Watson
Starting her acting career at a young age took a toll on Emma Watson, and at one point, she was inclined to leave the franchise. She was initially cast for the first two films under the Harry Potter franchise. However, after it went on to be a massive hit, the makers wanted her to continue portraying the role.
The Beauty and the Beast star said that Hermione Granger was her favorite fictional character, and her fans gave her the courage to continue with the character. However, at one point it got too much. During her interview with Vanity Fair in 2017, the Noah star shared that she was not able to connect with the person she was becoming.
“I’d walk down the red carpet and go into the bathroom. I had on so much makeup and these big, fluffy, full-on dresses. I’d put my hands on the sink and look at myself in the mirror and say, ‘who is this?'”
She explained that she came to the realization that all that was coming to a “point of no return.” Watson said, “I sensed if this was something I was ever going to step away from it was now or never.” The Regression star got enrolled at Brown University in 2009 and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in English literature in 2014.
Emma Watson Turned Down Several Major Roles
Followed by Harry Potter, Emma Watson has been busy with a lot. She has finished her studies, has worked in the fashion and modeling industry, and was also appointed as the UN Women Goodwill ambassador in July 2014.
While Watson wanted a break from acting, she was still offered several movies. It led her to reject multiple roles. Before starring as Belle in Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, Watson was offered the lead role in the 2015 film Cinderella. But she turned down the offer.
Rumors also started about her portraying Anastasia Steele in 50 Shades of Grey. But Watson declined the rumor in a tweet saying, “Who here actually thinks I would do 50 Shades of Grey as a movie?” Watson was also set to star in the Oscar-winning La La Land.
However, due to her commitment to Disney for Beauty and the Beast, she had to drop out before production began and the role went to Emma Stone. She shared that people always warned her about rejecting movies, but she never hesitated in making a decision.
During the Return to Hogwarts special, she shared that education was the only reason she wanted to quit the franchise. She admitted that she felt lonely and was scared to continue. Emma Watson was last seen in Greta Gerwig’s Little Women, which was released in 2019.
Source: Vanity Fair
