After years of playing Harry Potter's female sidekick, Hermione Granger, Emma Watson has admitted that she now feels prepared to take on a lead role.
The actress is excited for the future after recently wrapping up the filming for her 1970s-based thriller "Colonia" and her upcoming portrayal of Belle for Disney's live action adaptation of "Beauty and the Beast."
"It feels like I was building a portfolio over the last five, six years. Now I feel like I'm ready to really be carrying films. I'm really just ready now to focus on my career full time and go full steam ahead. It's exciting at the moment," Emma Watson said.
The 24-year-old starred in the drama about a woman who gets involved in a cult. She revealed that she was ready for the part, but confessed that, despite her experience, the traumatic story did take its toll on her.
"I was essentially playing a girl living in a concentration camp. It's tough emotionally, putting yourself in that place every day. But I really wanted to try. I really hope I've done it justice," she added.
The actress reportedly almost quit after the fourth installment of the "Harry Potter" series. She felt that she was missing out on normal teenage experiences such as getting a tan any time she wanted or get piercings. This is due to her work with "The Goblet of Fire" and the franchise since the producers decided that it was not good for Hermione's image.
It's a good thing, though, that Emma changed her mind and decided to push through with portraying the smart muggle-born witch because she could not bear to see anyone else replace her role.
The UN Women Goodwill Ambassador recently hosted a "He For She" Q&A last Mar. 8 to celebrate International Women's Day. Speaking in the event, she encouraged women to be what they want to be.