HOLLYWOOD - Harry Potter star Emma Watson has reportedly refused to sign a new contract to star in the last two movies in the J.K. Rowling fantasy series--despite being offered $3.9 million to continue her role as Hermione Granger.

The 16-year-old--who was confronted by a crazed fan at her British school earlier this week--has allegedly tired of her role as Harry Potter's best friend and wants to try new projects.

But her decision has thrown the final two films, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince and Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, into disarray, with filming due to start later this year.

Rupert Grint, who plays Ron Weasley in the fantasy franchise, tells British newspaper the News of the World, "Emma doesn't want to do it anymore. She's tired of being known as 'that girl from Harry Potter.'

"Daniel (Radcliffe) and I are distant from her now. We don't text or talk to her when we are not filming."

Movie giants Warner Brothers today confirmed Watson has not signed on for any more Harry Potter movies.

Tht's a pretty gutsy decision on her part. But, if she wants to move on, then she has every right to.

It must be hard to be known for only one role; especially if you're a young actress.

OH MY GOSH!!!!!!!!!!! @#$%^&*( NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO...
wow. well, that's her decission. but poor her, I have a feeling she's gonna face a heck of a lot of steortyped casting.
woe is her.
that really makes me mad. that's totally gonna screw up the last two movies.
thanks for posting this information Braindamage!

OH MY GOSH!!!!!!!!!!! @#$%^&*( NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO...
wow. well, that's her decission. but poor her, I have a feeling she's gonna face a heck of a lot of steortyped casting.
woe is her.
that really makes me mad. that's totally gonna screw up the last two movies.

I agree, but I think they need to bargain for her a little more if they want her for the part. They might want to offer her new roles in between movies or when the last one gets done being made. Something that will garantee her other film roles, it won't be the same without her.

I'm sure Scarlett Johannson is probably going to take over the role.

Hell, she's in every other movie, why not Harry Potter?

;)

good for her.

Oh, I am really sorry to hear that. The whole series just won't be the same if they have to recast her. I hope that she can still be bargained with. If people were willing to shell out $1 million per episode per actor for the Friends cast, it makes me believe there's always a deal to be made ;)

Good for her! If her heart's not in it anymore, then there is really no point!

Although I probably won't be watching the rest of the movies. I'd hate to brake in a new Hermione. Besides, they were growing away from the books, anyway.

It's a greater shame that the cast doesn't talk anymore. Isn't that how friendships end? Silence.

Of course, maybe she's holding out for more moolah time will tell.

Despite reports to the contrary, Emma Watson will most likely return to play Harry Potter pal Hermione Granger for the final two films in the popular children's franchise.

"We're extremely confident that Emma will be back for films six and seven," says a spokesperson for Warner Bros.

Rumors had been circulating that Watson, 16, was weary of her role as the brainy and plucky Hermione after a News story quoted fellow "Potter" actor Rupert Grint as claiming she "doesn't want to do it anymore. She's tired of being known as 'that girl from "Harry Potter."'"

The boy wizard himself, Daniel Radcliffe, recently signed on to continue his turn as Harry Potter in the final two films. The sixth, "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince,," is scheduled to begin filming in the next few months.

J.K. Rowling's final installment of the series, "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows," has already been setting records in advance of its scheduled release in bookstores this coming July.