Once the Harry Potter books became an absolute sensation, everyone agreed that it would only be a matter of time before they were adapted for the big screen. However, to make that a reality, the people behind the potential film series had to do more than make sure they cast the right people for the first Potter film. After all, if the film series was going to tell the complete Potter tale, producers needed to cast actors who would continue to fit their roles as each subsequent movie was produced.
In the years since the last film was released in theaters, the stars of the Harry Potter franchise have remained busy with most of them continuing to work as actors. Of course, that makes sense since most Potter actors seemed to really like making the movies. As it turns out, however, one of the most notable Potter stars was far from happy during the production of the movies. In fact, that Potter star came close to walking away from their role in the franchise at one point.
Emma Watson Had Other Priorities When Filming Harry Potter
Even though he played a major role in providing years of entertainment to the world, most people have never heard of a man named David Heyman before. An extremely accomplished film producer, Heyman has helped shepherd many movies into existence including Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, Paddington 2, Gravity, and Yes Man. In addition to all of those movies, Heyman produced all of the Harry Potter films and the Fantastic Beasts movies as well.
Given the role that David Heyman played in the production of the Harry Potter movies, he seems to be uniquely positioned to know what went on behind the scenes of the popular franchise. As a result, it is amazing to learn that when Heyman spoke to The Hollywood Reporter in 2013, he revealed that Emma Watson came shockingly close to quitting the Potter franchise before it came to an end. As for why Watson considered walking away, Heyman revealed she had other priorities that are quite admirable. Of courses, given all of the charitable causes Watson supports, it isn’t surprising that she cared about important things from a young age.
"They were initially signed up to two films, but then we had to renegotiate each time. Emma [Watson], in particular, was quite academic and was very keen in pursuit of schooling and was wrestling a little bit more than the others. So each time there was a negotiation, it was not about a financial [matter], it really was about, ‘Do I want to be a part of this?’ We had to be sensitive to her needs and how important school was to her. And you have to listen. In our position, you’re not dictating, you’re listening. At the same time, it’s a tipping point, and it’s working within a framework. I deeply respected her, encouraged her. She’s very smart, always was, and fiercely intelligent.”
Emma Watson Hated Many Aspects Of Making The Potter Movies
Even though David Heyman made it seem like the only reason why Emma Watson wanted to quit the Harry Potter franchise was to attend school, that doesn’t seem to be accurate. Of course, that may be the only explanation Watson gave Heyman for her reluctance to continue headlining the franchise. However, Watson has made it very clear that Watson didn’t like making the Potter movies.
While talking to Entertainment Weekly in 2010, Emma Watson revealed that while she made Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, she was busy negotiating a deal to continue starring in the franchise. Sadly, Watson called being forced to decide to quit or continue starring in the franchise “agonizing”.
According to what Watson said during that interview, she hated parts of making the Potter films for understandable reasons and that is why she considered quitting. “I love to make people laugh and I love being creative, but there are so many other things I love doing too. I have such a structure when I’m working on Potter. I get told what time I get picked up. I get told what time I can eat, when I have time to go to the bathroom. Every single second of my day is not in my power.” “I hate to sound whiny but it’s horrible”.
Emma Watson Considered Quitting Acting Entirely
Over the last five years of her career, Emma Watson has only had three films come out in theaters and as of the time of this writing, it has been almost two years since her last movie was released. Given the fact that Watson is beloved by Potter fans and she starred in the supremely successful live-action version of Beauty and the Beast, she must get lots of movie and television offers. With that in mind, it seems obvious that she is the one who has decided to put acting on the backburner.
Given what she told Vanity Fair in 2017, it is easy to understand why Emma Watson considered quitting acting in the past and why she hasn’t acted much over the last several years. “I’d walk down the red carpet and go into the bathroom,” she remembers of the last few premieres. “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?’ I didn’t connect with the person who was looking back at me, and that was a very unsettling feeling. I’ve often thought, I’m so wrong for this job because I’m too serious.”
