Following the success of the Harry Potter movies, which launched Emma Watson’s career into new heights, the actress was once rumored for several other prominent roles at the time. Among these, the Noah actress was also heavily rumored for the lead role in the live-action adaptation of E.L. James’ extremely popular, Fifty Shades of Grey, an erotic Twilight fan fiction turned novel.

However, following the colossal extent of these rumors at the time, the Harry Potter star Emma Watson eventually cleared the air surrounding her inclusion in the movie.

Harry Potter star Emma Watson

Emma Watson was ridiculed by the idea of starring in Fifty Shades of Grey

After being heavily rumored for the role of Anastasia Steele, which was later played by Dakota Johnson, the Harry Potter star eventually came forward to clarify the whole situation. While speaking with EW, Emma Watson brushed off the idea of playing the lead role in Fifty Shades of Grey. She later expressed her disdain for the whole speculation by stating,

“Who here actually thinks I would do 50 Shades of Grey as a movie? Like really. For real. In real life.”

The Noah actress further clarified that she hasn’t read any of the Fifty Shades of Grey books and hasn’t received any script and was not looking forward to starring in the adaptation. But apart from Watson, who did brush off the idea of starring in the movie? The director of the movie herself didn’t share a good experience during her tenure on the film.

Emma Watson

Sam Taylor-Johnson reportedly hated working on Fifty Shades of Grey

Despite initially being attached to the sequels, Sam Taylor-Johnson didn’t return after the first Fifty Shades of Grey, which despite being a critical failure, did great numbers at the box office. However, the process of filming the entire movie wasn’t easy for Taylor-Johnson. The director later opened up about her experience and how she and the producer of the movie, E.L. James would consistently butt heads over creative differences. She explained her distaste for the situation by stating,

“I can never say I regret it because that would just finish me off. With the benefit of hindsight would I go through it again? Of course I wouldn’t. I’d be mad. I’d be mad [to do it again]. I like everyone — and I get really confused when they don’t like me. I was so confused by E.L. James. I don’t understand when I can’t navigate a person, when there’s no synergy.”

Sam Taylor-Johnson

Despite not being part of Fifty Shades of Grey, which did pretty great at the box office, it didn’t have much of an impact on Watson’s career. As Emma Watson later went on to star in several other critically acclaimed and commercially successful projects over the years.