HARRY POTTER - WATSON TURNS DOWN CONTRACT FOR FINAL TWO POTTER FILMS

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 GBP2 million ($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 (begs12MAR07) - 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 (07). 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 any more. 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 (18MAR07) confirmed Watson has not signed on for any more Harry Potter movies.