Is Emma Watson going to grad school and abandoning acting and her role as a United Nations Goodwill Ambassador? Cue the go-viral machine! Just one problem with the Internet-reeling revelation, that Hermione Granger grad school announcement came from a college newspaper’s annual joke issue, reported Vanity Fair in a fast retraction.
The Daily Pennsylvanian revealed that the supposed news article about Watson was part of an early April Fool’s issue. Instead, Emma is focused on her acting career professionally and Goodwill role personally.
And Watson is particularly excited about playing the role of Belle in Beauty And The Beast , reported BuzzFeed . She immediately headed to Facebook to reveal her Disney delight.
“I’m finally able to tell you… that I will be playing Belle in Disney’s new live-action Beauty and the Beast ! It was such a big part of my growing up, it almost feels surreal that I’ll get to dance to ‘Be Our Guest’ and sing ‘Something There’. My six year old self is on the ceiling – heart bursting. Time to start some singing lessons. I can’t wait for you to see it. Emma xx”
Just like the supposed news of Emma’s departure for a doctorate, the Internet exploded with theories about which actor would take on the beastly role of the Beast. And while many hoped that the original Harry Potter (Daniel Radcliffe) would join Emma again, it was Dan Stevens from Downton Abbey who won the part.
Watson welcomed him to the cast on social media.
“Could not be more happy that this man will be Beast!!! Welcome aboard @thatdanstevens #beautyandthebeast”
Taking on the role of that evil villain Gaston is Luke Evan, known for his acting in The Hobbit. He also earned recognition from Emma.
“Bonjour Gaston! ?? Welcome! #BeautyAndTheBeast”
In addition to the Disney film, Watson is immersed in the HeForShe campaign , as the Inquisitr reported. Emma even traveled to Argentina, where she garnered support for her feminist work.
As for the college newspaper that produced the Emma Watson joke issue , it succeeded in getting social media all atwitter, reported USA Today .
Excited fans of both the actress and the school couldn’t contain their excitement.
“EMMA WATSON IS GOING TO GRAD SCHOOL IN THE SAME CITY I AM IN FOR MEDICAL SCHOOL AT THE SAME TIME I’M THERE I CAN’T BREATHE”
“emma watson upenn grad school?????? dont play with my emotions”
And so the university took it upon itself to issue a semi-apology and explanation.
“To clear things up, @EmWatson is NOT attending Penn. To those confused about @DailyPenn’s story, consider close we are to April 1st.”
[Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images]