Emma Watson Opens Up About Missing Out on La La Land: ‘I Had Three Months of Singing Ahead of Me
Emma Watson was initially considered for the lead role of Mia in the acclaimed 2016 musical “La La Land.” However, she declined the part due to scheduling conflicts with her commitment to portray Belle in Disney’s live-action adaptation of “Beauty and the Beast.” In a 2017 interview with SiriusXM’s Town Hall, Watson elaborated on her decision, stating that “Beauty and the Beast” required extensive preparation, including horse training, dancing, and three months of singing practice, all of which necessitated her presence in London. Consequently, she couldn’t accommodate “La La Land” within her schedule.
Watson emphasized that her association with “La La Land” was one of those situations where names become linked to projects early on to generate anticipation, even before any formal agreements are in place. She acknowledged that “Beauty and the Beast” was not a project she could “parachute into” and required full commitment, leading to an unavoidable scheduling conflict.
Despite not participating in “La La Land,” Watson expressed her enthusiasm for the resurgence of musicals in contemporary cinema, describing the trend as “wonderful” and noting that audiences are once again celebrating music, singing, and dancing.
Director Damien Chazelle also addressed the casting changes during the film’s development, noting that the casting underwent various permutations over the six years it took to bring “La La Land” to fruition. At one point, both Watson and actor Miles Teller were attached to the project, but ultimately, Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling were cast in the lead roles.
In summary, Emma Watson’s prior commitment to “Beauty and the Beast” and the extensive preparation it required were the primary reasons she did not take on the role of Mia in “La La Land.” Her dedication to fully engaging with her projects underscores her professionalism and commitment to her craft.
