Emma Watson Gets Back Into Fantasy With Queen Of The Tearling

This is a big month for Emma Watson fans, as she appears against type in not just one but two films. She has a wild cameo in Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg’s just-released This is the End, and next week she’ll sex up the Los Angeles party scene in Sofia Coppola’s The Bling Ring. But it’s possible that members of her Harry Potter fanbase aren’t as interested in seeing her use her talents in anything but fantasy franchises, and those folks are in luck.

Variety reports Warner Bros. is teaming Watson up with Harry Potter producer David Heyman for the actress to executive produce and star in an adaptation of the upcoming fantasy novel trilogy Queen of the Tearling from author Erika Johansen. Let’s all take a sizable sigh of relief that despite having a 19-year-old as its protagonist that it doesn’t appear to be a “young adult” trilogy. In fact, the lofty phrasing being used to describe the series is “female Game of Thrones,” which will guarantee it sales even if it’s completely different.

The first book is set over three hundred years after the earth was ravaged by an environmental catastrophe, and a malevolent Red Queen holds considerable power. The lead character was inspired by a 2007 speech by Barack Obama, of all things-- though it's unclear exactly what Obama said that sparked Johansen's idea to write the series.

A writer and director still have to be found, but even this early framework almost guarantees this film’s success, for better or worse. Watson has another epic sized (arguably fantasy) tale coming out next year with Darren Aronofsky’s Noah.

Nick Venable
Assistant Managing Editor

Nick is a Cajun Country native and an Assistant Managing Editor with a focus on TV and features. His humble origin story with CinemaBlend began all the way back in the pre-streaming era, circa 2009, as a freelancing DVD reviewer and TV recapper.  Nick leapfrogged over to the small screen to cover more and more television news and interviews, eventually taking over the section for the current era and covering topics like Yellowstone, The Walking Dead and horror. Born in Louisiana and currently living in Texas — Who Dat Nation over America’s Team all day, all night — Nick spent several years in the hospitality industry, and also worked as a 911 operator. If you ever happened to hear his music or read his comics/short stories, you have his sympathy.