ROTTEN TOMATOES: Emma Watson's Getting a Little Tired of Playing With "Harry Potter" Comments

Emma Watson's Getting a Little Tired of Playing With "Harry Potter"

by Scott Weinberg | September 27, 2006

Summary

In a move that could be best described as "contract negotiation hardball," young actress Emma Watson just dropped a bomb on the producers of the "Harry Potter" series. Seems the actress is not yet signed for the final pair of Potter flicks, and she's hinting that she might not even want the gig anymore. Back to Article

(1-52 of 52 posts) | Reply

llaltoo writes:
on Sep 27 2006 09:23 AM

maybe they'll bring in someone who does a non-pink hoodie portrayal

(Reply to this)

mrdanny writes:
on Sep 27 2006 10:03 AM

GEE... I wish I had the choice of saying "no" to a multimillion dollar franchise, huge fan base and huge pay check. But Whatever makes one happy.......

(Reply to this)

Mikeal420 writes:
on Sep 27 2006 10:26 AM

She's probably tired of Daniel Radcliffe always hittin on her now that he hit puberty and got all wierd, or maybe setting herself up to be the next Lindsay Lohane

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unbreakable_samurai writes:
on Sep 27 2006 11:23 AM

I hope she does them, it always sucks when they don't have the original actor's in sequels. After that go ahead and quite acting if you want, just finish the franchise.

(Reply to this)

elziard writes:
on Sep 27 2006 11:34 AM

//maybe setting herself up to be the next Lindsay Lohan//
given her drunken partying of past (well documented i might add) i'd say this is true...
whatever, see you in 10 years on reality TV, Ms Watson.

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synergyred writes:
on Sep 27 2006 11:52 AM

I agree unbreakable. It just ruins the movies if you have to cast new actors. Dumbledore isn't even the same. Not because the new guy playing him is a BAD actor but because their take on the character is radically different.

Suck it up Emma. Just do the last two films and then quit with a nice big pile of money.

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puppylaurah writes:
on Sep 27 2006 12:55 PM

I hope she changes her mind. She's the perfect Hermione Granger!

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silverfish05 writes:
on Sep 27 2006 01:46 PM

[b]The perfect Hermoine[/b]
Emma cannot leave the franchise. She's exactly the way I pictured her when I read the books. I couldn't think of anyone replacing her. Plus, taking off from Prisoner, she's getting even more good looking by the minute.

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Banana Kid writes:
on Sep 27 2006 02:10 PM

No.

No.

NO.

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dagreenman18 writes:
on Sep 27 2006 02:24 PM

stop being so god damn whiny and finnish what you started. you start a caracter, your with that caracter till the fucking end. if you leave you diminish the brand!!!!

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Ashron writes:
on Sep 27 2006 02:28 PM

In reply to this comment (#845138)
Hear, hear. I say dump the whiny, greedy bitch and find someone else. Snooty redheads are a dime a dozen.

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Sinizine writes:
on Sep 27 2006 02:47 PM

You guys do realize that the kids probably aren't making nearly as much money as you think they are right? They signed the contracts for the 5 films when they were all unknown (and like 10), and the certainty of the film's success wasn't guarenteed (why do you think McCauley Calkin isn't rolling in the dough still?). Like the article says, she's probably just playing "hardball." With the amount of money that franchise brings in, it's a smart play. They don't want to lose any of the major characters.

(Reply to this)

MMacKK writes:
on Sep 27 2006 03:54 PM

Read the article in full, because that quote has been taken out of context a bit. Also, Watson did the same thing before movies 3rd & 4th. I dunno, I really hope she stays on, cast changes now would definitely be disruptive.

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killermonkey8822 writes:
on Sep 27 2006 04:15 PM

after the second movie i started not giving a shit about the harry potter franchise, i just didn't like the movies anymore, i still agree with dagreenman18 she should really finish what she started, dumbledore couldn't cuz he died, but i still think that she should, she's not gonna die for awhile, and she's a good hermionie

(Reply to this)

Simple Minded writes:
on Sep 27 2006 05:06 PM

Continuity. CONTINUITY!

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vader_of_vjun writes:
on Sep 27 2006 05:20 PM

CONTINUITY INDEED!

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dc00777 writes:
on Sep 27 2006 05:45 PM

I would like her to continue, but give the girl a break. She signed on when she was 11. How many of you at 16 still really liked the things you did at 11? And when one has to spend months doing something they dislike it gets irritatiing. All I can say is she's a kid, cut her some slack.

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WileyMan writes:
on Sep 27 2006 05:49 PM

[b]Film is forever, Emma, what's a few more years?[/b]
If she does leave she will regret it. Not only will she tarnish the franchise but she will disappoint millions of fans who will probably never forgive her for leaving. And why would she want to share the part of Hermione Granger with another actress anyway? What if the new actress turned out to be better? Retire from acting afterward and stick with it, that's my advice.

(Reply to this)

bluthboy2342 writes:
on Sep 27 2006 06:51 PM

She shouldnt really make any rash decisions until she sees how the seventh story plays out. If the seventh book ends up being a dissapointment then maybe it would be smart of her to ditch the series. But honestly...it would be the right thing to stick with it.

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Paul_Is_Drunk writes:
on Sep 27 2006 07:18 PM

[b]Occum's Razor[/b]
She isn't signed for the next movies. The movies are making a crap load. The audience prefers her to a new face. If this isn't about money I would be surprised. Occum's Razor.

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slqrick writes:
on Sep 27 2006 07:37 PM

she'll be back...they always come back.

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haelohm writes:
on Sep 27 2006 07:37 PM

[b]mmk[/b]
she will be back...the actual interview just makes it seem that she doesnt know what her future holds...she loves being a part of the movie...and no one else could play her part!

(Reply to this)

Mike writes:
on Sep 27 2006 09:03 PM

Eeek. That would suck. I don't blame her for getting sick of it, but still, it would be awful having someone else play her part. I hope she'll stick it out.

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TheIceGhost writes:
on Sep 27 2006 09:22 PM

I like that out of the main three she is A) The best of the lot and B) The least interested in acting...supposedly anyway. Irony is certainly a butt munch.

I'll respect whatever decision she makes, but if she asked me I'd say: Keep with it Em!!

(Reply to this)

Mr. Positive writes:
on Sep 27 2006 10:42 PM

If she gives up on all that money at 16, it will go down as the worst decision since the Texans passed on Reggie Bush.

(Reply to this)

adml_shake writes:
on Sep 27 2006 10:44 PM

In reply to this comment (#845140)
Actually didn't Mcully's dad piss all the money away? Thats why he emancipated himself?

(Reply to this)

wazzat writes:
on Sep 28 2006 08:25 AM

Oh man, just when she was starting to get hot...

(Reply to this)

adml_shake writes:
on Sep 28 2006 08:57 AM

In reply to this comment (#845155)
Don't worry...she'll wash out and do porn in 10 years...

(Reply to this)

ShiftyJedi writes:
on Sep 28 2006 10:33 AM

[b]Emma should do what's best for her...[/b]
I understand Emma not wanting to finish the series, seven movies is a lot of her childhood spent doing the samething. However, she will look back on her time doing the Harry Potter films at a much better view if she finishes it out. She only has one chance to do all the films. Look at Sean Connary trying to go back and do a Bond film, it just didn't work. Once she leaves and another is cast it's over and we have to look at it from a different view.

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Ron_Burgundy writes:
on Sep 28 2006 11:07 AM

Although I'd like to see Emma in the role for the remainder of the movies, it wouldn't kill the franchise to recast. These things happen. Look at Batman, Back to the Future, Terminator, James Bond. It's about the story. Audiences will go see it. The studio should stick to their guns on this one. The only actor who absolutely is not replacable is Daniel Radcliffe.

I do think that Emma should finish the franchise in order to financially set her and her family for life. Even if she doesn't want an acting career, postponing college for a few years is not going to kill her. And let's face it, she'll always be known as Hermione. She'll follow other genre actors who can't be successful in other roles, like Carrie Fischer. So do the films, retire from acting at 22, and make your living off fanboy conventions and topless photos.

(Reply to this)

downwithstarbucks writes:
on Sep 28 2006 11:22 AM

[b]wow[/b]
reading all of these posts is very depressing. all of these people seem to know what's best for ms. watson. she's 16 years old. as one sane responder mentioned, some people don't want to do at 16 what they did at 11. and if it's a "mistake", she can learn from it. life is about being able to make choices for yourself, not being "forced" to do what you don't have to do.

that all said, if it is indeed a cynical powerplay, then she has hollywood all figured out.

(Reply to this)

raven24 writes:
on Sep 28 2006 01:51 PM

it may be diffucult, but if Emma doesn't stick around for the last 2 movies i won't see them. the next movies would be a joke if a new actress had to be brought in to play Hermione. sure, there's always the threat of being typecasted, but that's pretty much going to happen anyway. come on, Emma!! we're all counting on you!

(Reply to this)

Libradoll writes:
on Sep 28 2006 05:45 PM

[b]yeah.... right..[/b]
uuumm.... didn't she say something along those lines last year and the year before that? i think Daniel has said a few times in the past that he didn't know if he was going to do the entire series and look where we are now... practically getting ready to make book 6.

(Reply to this)

Ashron writes:
on Sep 28 2006 06:50 PM

After giving it some more thought, and putting on my cynical hat, I'm going to guess that she's being coached by her agent to say these things to give them leverage (sort of the Toby McGuire Spiderman ploy going on). If her agent had been smart in the first place, there would have been a clause to increase her salary with each successive film. (And there may have been, I don't know) If I were the producer, I would certainly be willing to increase her pay, within reason, but if they became too demanding, I'd tell them to hit the trail. After all, as someone said, it's the story.

(Reply to this)

Ron_Burgundy writes:
on Sep 28 2006 09:44 PM

In reply to this comment (#845160)
Um...you seriously wouldn't see the movie if they recast Hermione? That's kind of stupid. What if she, god forbid, died, or was horribly disfigured in a fire?

If she made the choice not to return, they couldn't force her. Warner Bros owns this franchise, and will go on without her. They'd have no choice but to recast. It happens. Would you rather they write her out of the script?

(Reply to this)

donniedarko3482 writes:
on Sep 28 2006 10:11 PM

[b]she will be back in the end[/b]
I understand to a certain degree that she might think that her childhood is slipping away while doing these movies, but its not like every moment from the age of 11 has been on these movies. They normally get between 9 months to a year off between filming and they had a 1 1/2 off between films 2 and 3 so its not like she just never had time to be a kid. And hey, daniel and rupert which are two of her closest friends are with her alot on the set so she has people to do stuff with.

Although I'm sure its not easy to film a movie especially ones like these, I think she will be back. Having already filmed 5 movies it would be ridiculous to to not do the final two. After this movie she will get 6-9 months off before she has to even think about doing the next movie. After the movies she will have a full long life to date, and do whatever with any guys she pleases and have as much fun as she wants. Till then I say be professional, finish these last two films and the rest of your long, luscious, and beautiful life, you can do with as you please.

(Reply to this)

Evimeleth writes:
on Sep 29 2006 05:22 AM

So sad. She's the only one of the trio I think has any serious future as an actress. But of course, I agree she must do what she think it's better for her.

(Reply to this)

fizzypulp writes:
on Sep 29 2006 06:08 AM

I think she will stay on and i really hope she does. because the young cast has grown up together there is real comaraderie and chemistry between them which is irreplaceable. The films are just getting better and once the final one is done she will have something to be proud off.Also no-one wants a new face - it was bad enough seeing the new skinny version of Neville - it just didnt look right!

(Reply to this)

AgentSmith writes:
on Sep 29 2006 08:22 AM

[b]Think about it, miss Watson[/b]
You have half of the way in "Harry Potter's" films, so why did u decide to may not continue with the Hermione Granger character? Hey, girl, I think like a lot of people, that YOU ARE Granger, and I think that you need a bit of patience because there are only 2 movies to be shot, and this is a good start for your career if you decide to keep on acting. All you need is to pick good scripts according to your age, girl, not pieces of crap that make many actors and actresses of your age. And yes, you are like the wine: getting better and beautiful with the time;-). Do what you consider necessary, girl, and if you decide to retire of acting, it's ok, you have to live your life too.

(Reply to this)

ceejceej writes:
on Sep 29 2006 08:21 PM

[b]Relax![/b]
Can't You Read? She didn't say that she 'wouldn't' return. She didn't say that she didn't 'want' to return. She said, "I Don't Know Yet" which could mean a myraid of things: A) "I haven't been offered a contract yet, I'm too busy studying, dating, and fiming the next movie", B) " I've been offered a contract but I haven't signed it yet, I'm too busy studying, dating, and fiming the next movie", or C)Jeez Mr. Reporter! We're not even done filming the next one, and you wanna know that?!?! I'm tired, I'm cranky, and I'm on my cycle. Filim is grueling, the days are long, AND I've still got to find a prom date! So, No, I don't know if I'm coming back for another round because right now I don't fell up to 4 more years of this circus! Now leave me alone, I have to go solve the mystery since I'm the brains of this operation!"

My guess is C.

(Reply to this)

gg2zax writes:
on Sep 29 2006 10:39 PM

[b]Money and pressure doesn't equal happiness[/b]
It's easy for people to sit in the proverbial armchair and say she should do this or that. I have seen one too many friends "just take the money and finish the project" who were miserable and wished every day they were someplace else. It's very easy to forget what the teenage years were like, let alone having your life be on the world stage every day. We as adults wonder why teens turn to drugs, alcohol, and suicide. Maybe we should look at ourselves and the pressue we put on young people. It is one thing to encourage a young person to better themselves, and quite another to push them off a cliff. I hope her close friends and family look out for her better than most "fans" would.... just my $.02

(Reply to this)

wazzat writes:
on Sep 30 2006 06:23 AM

In reply to this comment (#845169)
[b]?[/b]
Blossom!? Is that you?

(Reply to this)

gg2zax writes:
on Sep 30 2006 11:01 AM

In reply to this comment (#845170)
[b]Hey wazzat[/b]
Sorry to disappoint, but it's just me, gg2zax. Just a concerned person who has seen this happen before to friends, and I'd hate to see it happen again. People lose perspective, and become focused on a "larger-than-life" situation that they forget the human side of things, and forget that they are real people in the process. Some things never change. Everyone loves a hero, minus any "flaws."

take care,
gg2zax

(Reply to this)

JimmyStewart writes:
on Oct 02 2006 06:22 AM

In reply to this comment (#845171)
gg2zax, I don't think anyone is missing the point you're trying to make. I think it's more that we're all in that position every day. I mean you say you've "seen one too many friends 'take the money and finish the project' who were miserable and wished every day they were someplace else".

You've just described me going to work every day and the lives of everyone I know. This isn't some rare ordeal that you have some special insight into, this is what we all know and deal with for the most part on a regular daily basis. Sure there are a few people who love their jobs, but most of us don't. We work because we have to in order to survive. So perhaps you can speak of a few friends you've had that you think could relate to this situation, I'll speak from first hand experience. Work sucks and then you die.

I think the problem is that it's just a bit obnoxious for us to hear about some girl who's made more money in a few short years than I'll ever see in my entire life by doing something I think just about everyone here would die to do. I'd wager most Harry Potter fans would die simply to be there without being paid a cent.

But I think overall you're taking the issue a bit too much on the chin here. You seem to think that by some posts on an internet message board Ms. Watson is going to turn to drugs, prostitution and inevitably suicide. And it might be nice to imagine that our thoughts actually have some relevant impact on the lives of the stars we all love... in reality we don't. Our justified opinions won't be leading anyone to suicide... it's not as serious as all that. No need to be "concerned". We're just a group of fans who love these films have every right to be upset at these sorts of comments from the films stars.

Finally, to put to rest this image of Ms. Watson hating making these films and being paid millions of dollars. To put an end to the idea that she'll be forced into huge emotional problems that will send he life straight into the gutter because of what we've posted on an internet message board... Let's take the drama down a notch.

To keep things in perspective, I bring you more on the actual Newsweek interview these quotes come from...
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/14973113/site/newsweek/

"Are you still enjoying making these movies after all these years?

Umm, I am. It�s nice having a new director each time. I keep getting pushed and challenged, and that�s really nice."

(Reply to this)

ThisIsANeatWebsite writes:
on Oct 02 2006 02:54 PM

[b]It would be terrible if she leaves.[/b]
I think the real problem is that the movies have been too separated in time. Idelly the movies should not have taken longer than nine years to make. I know the death of Richard Harris was a great set back, but when you eventually have adults playing 17 year olds the movies lose some of there internal coherance. Miss Watson probably feels caght in a seeming endless, perhaps starting to feel cloisterphobic, huge thing that is bigger than you because so many people are counting on you to continue with the steller work you've already done instead of having a normal adolescence. Then again it could be just a warning to Daniel Radcliffe that she needs space from him, like: leave me alone or I'll get away from you the only way I can. It's absolutely nothing about money in any way.

(Reply to this)

ESotSM writes:
on Oct 04 2006 09:11 AM

You can read all about this story in this month's issue of "Career Suicide" Magazine

(Reply to this)

gg2zax writes:
on Oct 05 2006 01:41 AM

In reply to this comment (#845172)
[b]Hey jab1981...[/b]
Hey jab 1981....

thanks for the post.... I see your point, and I understand I may have been a bit over the top. I agree with you that most of us (including myself) are stuck in jobs like the movie "Office Space" where we slug it out every day to essentially put food on the table, whereas she could retire tomorrow in relative comfort. I'm sure that Emma Watson has a good head on her shoulders, and that she won't start swigging Jack Daniels' just because a few fanboys say it's the end of the world. I was mainly trying to point out that where adults are more equiped to handle these situations, she is only 16.

Again, while I'm sure she'll be "ok," the line forms to the left for child actors that ended up in a bad way...

(Reply to this)

hplover13 writes:
on Oct 07 2006 09:17 PM

[b]NO NO NO!!! SHE CANT QUIT!!![/b]
she can NOT quit! every single movie i seen where one of the main characters were replaced they all end up all sucky. i dont want my favorite book series movie to be crappy. once i seen her on the first movie my mind was like "YES!!! THIS IS THE PERSON I SEEN AS HERMIONE!" why does she have to blow it....

(Reply to this)

farcemaster writes:
on Oct 19 2006 11:20 PM

[b]negoitating ploy: she is related to Attornies (bot[/b]
folks - someone already thought this reluctance to sign up for the last two plays is a some sort of agent's negotiating strategy - which might very well be - but consider the FACT that BOTH of her Parents are LAWYERS.

They do deals in their professional life - and I am quite sure they have coached their daughter not to jump on some bandwagon and give up her incredibly powerful negotiating position by blindly agreeing right away to do HP #6 and the 7th film as well... she did this or said a similiar thing at the end of the 3rd and 4th movie I believe (or at least at the end of the 4th movie).

All you other comments certainly apply - that it would be a terrible loss and disrupt the continuity of what is going on with the Harry Potter franchise - but keep in mind she is related to multipe attornies... as I am ... and now have several friends that are (and even more relatives)

ugh - keep it kewl - keep in mind who Emma's parents are and what they do for a living and you will see all is certainly not lost (it will just get more expensive for Warner Brothers to keep her).

I also hear that is [dirty/dark] blonde -and wants to play that american teenager (Bethany Hamilton?) that lost an arm in a shark attack off Hawaii (Kaui?) surfing - and hopefully she can squeeze that movie shoot it in, for that movie that starts in around January after HP#5 finishes shooting/editing/wrapping and before the 6th Harry Potter starts filming news spring/summer?

She will be happy if she has a different project to look back on (like Rupert and Dan have arranged) - cowabunga Emma! Surf's up girl go for it (don't really want to see Britney Spears younger sister play Bethany Hamilton in her autobiography that is going to be made into a movie

- F master

(Reply to this)

Tony Jaa's girl writes:
on Aug 10 2007 04:25 PM

I know I'm not going to be the only one that says this. Emma Watson is Harry Potter. Without her I don't think the last 2 movies will be nearly as good. I am a huge Harry Potter fan and she is one of my favorite characters. I know she is young and has to do what she has to do. I hope she does finish the last 2 movies.

(Reply to this)

Tony Jaa's girl writes:
on Aug 10 2007 04:27 PM

I know I'm not going to be the only one that says this. Emma Watson is Harry Potter. Without her I don't think the last 2 movies will be nearly as good. I am a huge Harry Potter fan and she is one of my favorite characters. I know she is young and has to do what she has to do. I hope she does finish the last 2 movies.

(Reply to this)

wiglett writes:
on Dec 06 2007 09:13 AM

She seriously needs to take acting classes. Her acting gets worse and worse with each film. She makes Granger less and less appealing with each passing year. She speaks so fast and with so little emotion, it is almost impossible understand her or relate to her character.

(Reply to this)

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