Variety is reporting that Emma Watson will reunite with her Harry Potter makers to executive produce and star in a regal role in an upcoming fantasy franchise. The first book of the proposed trilogy isn’t even written yet.
According to The Huffington Post, Erika Johansen, a recent graduate from the celebrated Iowa Writer’s Workshop, has signed a seven figure deal with Harper Collins to write her debut novel, the first in an intended series similar to George R.R. Martin’s Game Of Thrones.
Erika Johansen claims she was inspired by a dream, as well as by a speech given by a pre-presidential Barack Obama, about an environmental calamity. The story will take place in the third century after a catastrophe has befallen planet Earth, where a malevolent Red Queen reigns over the kingdom of Tearling.
Emma Watson will play the nineteen-year-old idealistic heroine princess named Kelsea Glynn. Kelsea must defeat the evil monarch and reclaim her deceased mothers crown, returning to her rightful place as heir to the kingdom.
Warner Bros., who oversaw all of the Harry Potter films, has acquired film rights to the entire series. David Heyman, who produced the complete Potter saga, will reunite with Watson as co-producer.
Emma Watson starred in all eight of the Harry Potter films and then turned to less fantasy oriented roles including: My Week With Marilyn, The Perks Of Being A Wallflower, and the (releasing Friday) Sofia Coppola film The Bling Ring. She is currently on-screen as a version of herself in the Seth Rogan/Evan Goldberg apocalypse comedy This Is The End.
Watson also recently wrapped the Darren Aronofsky Bible-based Noah with Russell Crowe, and has long been attached to the Guillermo Del Toro project, Beauty.
So far, no writer or director has been selected for Queen Of The Tearling. Production is expected to start in early 2014.