Did you know that Hollywood actress Emma Watson was offered a staggering $30 million to prevent her departure from the Harry Potter film series due to her studies?
Emma Watson, a British actor, portrayed the character of Hermione Granger, one of the primary protagonists, in all eight live adaptations of J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter novels.
In 2010, her net worth was estimated to be $32 million. However, Warner Bros., the studio behind the films, was highly considerate of Watson’s educational pursuits and provided her with an additional $30 million to ensure she remained a part of the franchise.
According to producer David Heyman, Watson’s academic dedication set her apart from the rest of the cast. He acknowledged that she placed great importance on her education and faced more challenges in balancing her studies and acting commitments.
“Emma, in particular, was quite academic and was very keen on the pursuit of schooling and was wrestling a little bit more than the others,” Heyman said in an interview. “So each time there was a negotiation, it was not about a financial matter; it 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.”
It is worth noting that Emma Watson began her acting career in stage productions. However, it was her portrayal of Hermione Granger in the Harry Potter franchise that catapulted her to immense fame.
Watson secured the role of Hermione Granger when she was just nine years old. In a previous interview, the actor revealed that she went through nine auditions before being selected for the first film.
“I was crazy. I did eight auditions, and I would sit by the telephone in my house and wait for each call. When they had me in for the ninth audition, I was like, ‘Wow, nine,'” Watson shared.
She further added, “They called me into producer David Heyman’s office, and he said I was the preferred candidate for the role. Before I could obsess over what ‘preferred’ meant, they took a photograph of Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, and me.”
Emma Watson’s remarkable talent and commitment to her education played a significant role in her journey as Hermione Granger, ultimately solidifying her as an integral part of the beloved Harry Potter film series.