Emma Watson Interview

Emma Watson Interview for Despereaux'

Continuing her streak of playing posh, very British young ladies, Emma Watson has traded in Hermione Granger's quick-witted smarts for a prim and proper place on an animated throne.

Providing the voice of Princess Pea -- the pretty royal who begins an interesting relationship with the eponymous big-eared mouse in 'The Tale of Despereaux' -- Watson is attempting to branch out from her 'Harry Potter' roots, even though she confesses that Hermione holds a special place in her heart.

Watson spoke exclusively to Moviefone about why princesses top wizards any day and how we may be seeing a lot more of her in five years (and we mean a lot more of her), while also dishing about the celeb she admires most and declaring that 'Twilight''s got nothing on the massive 'Potter' franchise. -- By Maggie Furlong

Jason LaVeris, FilmMagic

1. What's more fun: playing a wizard or a princess?

Oh, a princess, any day! [Laughs] It's every little girl's dream! Definitely ... especially such a pretty princess! And obviously, it's a pretty massive perk being part of a cast that includes Sigourney Weaver, Dustin Hoffman and Matthew Broderick. I worked with Matthew, and I met Dustin while he was in London, but I actually just met Sigourney today, so that was pretty exciting.

Universal

2. Do you have a hard time getting away from just being known as Hermione?

I think it'll take a while. I think I need to take on other roles before [laughs] ... but obviously doing 'Tale of Despereaux' was great, to do something different and play a different role. I think that'll help. But yeah -- 'Harry Potter' is so massive, it's kind of to be expected, I guess.

Warner Bros.

3. You've said you sometimes ask Rupert and Daniel for boy advice -- do you all keep in touch in between 'Potter' shoots?

Yeah, I mean we have each other's phone numbers and we'll send a text and see how everything is getting on. Dan has been in New York on Broadway doing 'Equus,' so he's been pretty busy, and Rupert's been on other films as well, so we're all pretty busy, to be honest, and all in different places. It's a little bit tricky when we're not shooting, but yeah, we keep in touch.

Warner Bros.

4. Speaking of 'Equus' would you ever take a role that required nudity like that?

Ooh, never say never. I mean, if I believed in it I'm not planning on doing it anytime soon, I'll be honest with you! [Laughs] It really depends on the role and how I felt about it, but I would hope not for another five years, hopefully. [Laughs] I don't know -- we'll see.

Chris Young, AFP / Getty Images

5. What's your take on all the buzz surrounding 'Twilight,' which starts 'Potter' alum Robert Pattinson?

God, it's massive! I have no idea! I haven't seen it, so I can't really comment, but I'm just gob smacked by the amount of hype and publicity that it's getting. It's incredible. I mean, I'm so happy for Rob -- he must be over the moon. I'm so happy that everything's so successful for him -- it's amazing.

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6. And what do you say to all the people calling it the next 'Harry Potter'?

I haven't heard that, to be honest -- I mean, that's quite a big claim to make! [Laughs] 'Harry Potter' is pretty massive!

Summit Entertainment / Warner Bros.

7. Who do you think is the better role model: Bella from 'Twilight' or Hermione?

Not having seen the film [laughs] ... it would be a little unfair to comment, but of course I will say Hermione, because she is just the best.

Summit Entertainment / Warner Bros.

8. Were you disappointed that JK Rowling never delved into Harry and Hermione getting together?

No ... I mean, to me it was always obvious that their relationship was purely friends. It always felt to me that she was very mothering towards him. It just wouldn't be right. And I think that Ron and Hermione are so perfect for each other that I'm not disappointed. [Laughs] It's meant to be.

Warner Bros.

9. What surprised you most about working on an animated flick?

It's so rewarding to be a part of -- I mean, this may just apply to 'Despereaux,' I don't know -- but it's incredible to be a character that is being created from animation, and to be involved in that way, and then go sit down in a theater and see something that is almost a complete surprise to you, in the way that it looks and it was amazing going to see it. I was just so happy with it -- I'm proud of it. To do so little and to produce something so amazing is quite incredible. It's very liberating, in a way, not to be worrying about your appearance, and just focusing on the voice.

Universal