Emma Watson Reveals Why She Turned Down The Role Of Cinderella
Feminist champion Emma Watson gives women another reason to love her.
In 2014, it was a known fact Watson declined the leading role in Disney's live-action remake of "Cinderella," directed by Kenneth Branagh.
The part was eventually given to the ever-lovely Lily James, who starred opposite Richard Madden (aka "Game of Thrones" star Robb Stark), and the movie did pretty well at the box office, grossing over $500 million dollars worldwide.
But Watson wasn't in it for the money.
In an interview with Total Film, the "Beauty and the Beast" star argued Belle was a better role model to young girls than Cinderella. She explained,
There's this kind of outsider quality that Belle had, and the fact she had this really empowering defiance of what was expected of her. In a strange way, she challenges the status quo of the place she lives in, and I found that really inspiring. She manages to keep her integrity and have a completely independent point of view. She's not easily swayed by other people's perspective—not swayed by fear-mongering or scapegoating.
Though the story of Cinderella does convey a similar message about treating people with compassion, Belle's "open-mind" and "curiosity" resonated much more with Watson.
"I didn't know they were going to make 'Beauty and the Beast' at the time I turned down 'Cinderella,'" she told Total Film but continued to say that given the choice, she would much rather play a character who shared qualities that she admires.
As a Brown University graduate and a Goodwill Ambassador for UN Women, it makes sense Watson would see a bookworm like Belle as a perfect fit for her.
Though she's no rookie to the spotlight, Watson has recently been in the news for things like refusing to wear a corset under her "Beauty and The Beast" ballgown.
Watson maintains she has had a role in shaping the identity of the Disney princess with director Bill Condon, with a focus making her less helpless and dependent on men.
Amen to that Emma. Amen to that.
"Beauty and the Beast" is set to premiere March 17, 2017.
Citations: Entertainment Weekly
