News

The voluptuously sexy Scarlett Johansson has bowed out of the female title role in the forthcoming Napolean and Betsy, a period film that explores the love between—you guessed it—Napolean and Betsy. Johansson was set to play a noblewoman named Betsy Balcombe who finds herself trapped on the isle of St. Helena with exiled French emperor Napolean. Apparently, Scar Jo went AWOL from the part when it became apparent that the role was skewing a bit younger. The actress is all of 23-years-old, so we're guessing the part is skewing really, really, really young. Johansson remains attached to the film, however, in the role of producer.

Emma Watson of Harry Potter fame has stepped up and replaced Johansson. Watson, who just turned 18, is currently filming the sixth installment in the Potter series, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. When Watson completes filming on the final Potter film, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, she will begin work on Napolean and Betsy, tentatively in the Fall of 2009.

This workload and these plum roles should assist Miss Watson in fast-tracking her way to the title of "Hollywood's hottest ingénue" in no time.

—The ARTISTdirect Staff
04.22.08