Emma Watson will not play the role of Cinderella in Disney's live action adaptation.
The Harry Potter Star Watson decided not to join the cast of "Cinderella" after final negotiations were in place. Variety stated via Twitter on March 1 that "Emma Watson has decided NOT to star in Disney's CINDERELLA." No reason was given for the young actress departure.
Disney has had a hard time putting the film together with director Mark Romanek (Never Let Me Go) also quitting. Kenneth Branagh took his place and Cate Blanchett also joined the cast to play the villain. However no other cast members have joined the movie.
Watson last starred in "The Perks of Being a Wallflower" for which she received a Best Supporting Actress Award from the San Diego Film Critics. She was also seen in "My Week with Marilyn" with Michelle Williams and Judi Dench. She next stars in the Sofia Coppola movie "The Bling Ring." Watson will then be seen in "This is the End" and in "Noah" alongside Russell Crowe, Jennifer Connolly, and Anthony Hopkins.
Disney is currently developing a live action adaptation of "Sleeping Beauty" with Angelina Jolie and sequels to "Alice in Wonderland" and "Oz: The Great and Powerful." The company just scored the best opening weekend of the year with "Oz" and just announced they were developing a live action version of "Beauty and the Beast." They next release "Iron Man 3" with Robert Downey Jr. and Ben Kingsley.
"Cinedrella" will be written by Chris Weitz and Aline Brosh McKenna with Disney planning on releasing the film in 2014 in 3D.