What Role Did Emma Watson Turn Down For Beauty And The Beast

Emma Watson has starred in some of the biggest films of all time. But the actor has also said no to her fair share of movies as well. Why is that?

Though the term “overnight celebrity” is widely used, the phenomenon is actually exceedingly rare. Most artists work for years, even decades, before they get their big break and are “discovered.” However, Emma Watson is actually an example of someone who experienced instant fame. She was cast in the

Movies at 9 years old and went from being an ordinary girl to a household name in just a few months’ time.

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Watson would go on to portray Hermione Granger for over a decade. However, her popularity only increased as the franchise wore on. When she finally was able to hang up Hermione’s wand, she had no shortage of roles being pitched to her. Perhaps this is why fans were so shocked when she decided to take a step back from her career and pursue her Bachelor’s degree.

Of course, Watson’s love of learning didn’t shock her most loyal fans. Over the years, Potterheads had drawn connections between the actor and the character that she portrayed. Still, many people couldn’t believe that she would pause her extremely lucrative career to go to college. But the decision was about more than just education for Watson. She had a deep feeling that if she didn’t take a step back from her career when she did, she’d never have the opportunity to.

Watson spoke to Vanity Fair about her decision to enroll at Brown University in 2009. “I was finding this fame thing was getting to a point of no return, ” the movie star recalled. “I sensed if this was something I was ever going to step away from it was now or never.”

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Movies. She also managed to balance smaller roles while simultaneously earning her degree. Superfans may recall that she portrayed Lucy in the 2011 film

, for example, went to a different Emma because Watson turned down the film. But there were far more movies that Watson passed on simply for the sake of her own sanity.

“There have been hard moments in my career when I’ve had an agent or a movie producer say, ‘You are making a big mistake, '” Watson recalled. “But what’s the point of achieving great success if you feel like you’re losing your freakin’ mind? I’ve had to say, ‘Guys, I need to go back to school, ’ or ‘I just need to go home and hang out with my cats.’ People have looked at me and been like, ‘Is she insane?’ But, actually, it’s the opposite of insane.”

Emma Watson Graduates From Brown University

While people may have thought Watson was unwise for prioritizing her education over her film, it was the right choice for her. She has cited multiple times that her time at Brown was wonderful for her. And while Watson likely turned down tons of money and opportunities, her thought process was perfectly sound. Truly, you cannot put a price on sanity.A lot of people recognize Emma Watson from the Harry Potter franchise. The actress starred in all eight of the Harry Potter films as Hermione Granger, which makes her an undeniable force in the lives of millions of people around the world. 

Following Harry Potter, Watson went on to star in quite a few films, including 2019's Little Women and the 2017 remake of Beauty and the Beast (via IMDb), but has largely eschewed the spotlight since her turn as the famous witch.

It turns out Watson could have starred in yet another big-time movie: 2016's La La Land. Watson was offered the role that ultimately won Emma Stone an Oscar, but she doesn't regret her decision to pass at all. While speaking at a SiriusXM Town Hall, she explained she turned down the movie because Beauty and the Beast was coming to fruition. I knew I had horse training, I knew I had dancing, I knew I had three months of singing ahead of me, and I knew I had to be in London to really do that, she said (via PopSugar).

Why Emma Watson Rejected Cinderella But Snapped Up Beauty And The Beast

La La Land isn't the only major film that Emma Watson turned down following her Harry Potter success. Before she played Belle in Beauty and the Beast, Watson was offered the role of Cinderella in Disney's 2017 live-action remake of the classic. Watson explained to Total Film Magazine that she had no idea Beauty and the Beast would ever exist when she said no to playing the other Disney princess. I didn't know they were going to make Beauty and the Beast at the time I turned down Cinderella. But when they offered me Belle, I just felt the character resonated with me so much more than Cinderella did, she revealed (via Screen Rant).

Watson was also rumored to be in the running to play Anastasia Steele in 50 Shades of Grey, but she herself shot down the rumors via Twitter, writing, Who here actually thinks I would do 50 Shades of Grey as a movie? Like really. For real. In real life. The role ultimately went to Dakota Johnson.

While people may have thought Watson was unwise for prioritizing her education over her film, it was the right choice for her. She has cited multiple times that her time at Brown was wonderful for her. And while Watson likely turned down tons of money and opportunities, her thought process was perfectly sound. Truly, you cannot put a price on sanity.A lot of people recognize Emma Watson from the Harry Potter franchise. The actress starred in all eight of the Harry Potter films as Hermione Granger, which makes her an undeniable force in the lives of millions of people around the world. 

Following Harry Potter, Watson went on to star in quite a few films, including 2019's Little Women and the 2017 remake of Beauty and the Beast (via IMDb), but has largely eschewed the spotlight since her turn as the famous witch.

It turns out Watson could have starred in yet another big-time movie: 2016's La La Land. Watson was offered the role that ultimately won Emma Stone an Oscar, but she doesn't regret her decision to pass at all. While speaking at a SiriusXM Town Hall, she explained she turned down the movie because Beauty and the Beast was coming to fruition. I knew I had horse training, I knew I had dancing, I knew I had three months of singing ahead of me, and I knew I had to be in London to really do that, she said (via PopSugar).

Why Emma Watson Rejected Cinderella But Snapped Up Beauty And The Beast

La La Land isn't the only major film that Emma Watson turned down following her Harry Potter success. Before she played Belle in Beauty and the Beast, Watson was offered the role of Cinderella in Disney's 2017 live-action remake of the classic. Watson explained to Total Film Magazine that she had no idea Beauty and the Beast would ever exist when she said no to playing the other Disney princess. I didn't know they were going to make Beauty and the Beast at the time I turned down Cinderella. But when they offered me Belle, I just felt the character resonated with me so much more than Cinderella did, she revealed (via Screen Rant).

Watson was also rumored to be in the running to play Anastasia Steele in 50 Shades of Grey, but she herself shot down the rumors via Twitter, writing, Who here actually thinks I would do 50 Shades of Grey as a movie? Like really. For real. In real life. The role ultimately went to Dakota Johnson.