Emma Watson's "Beauty and Beast" bet is paying off and will probaly make her the richest actress going if the film continues its current global box office pace.
Sources told The Hollywood Reporter that Watson, 26, took $3 million upfront to play Belle in the live-action fairy tale movie and a slice of the worldwide box office receipts.
"Beauty and the Beast" took in record-breaking numbers over its first weekend. According to Box Office Mojo on Friday, the movie has taken in $217 million domestically and another $244 million in foreign ticket sales, setting sales records for March releases.
THR's sources said Watson could earn $15 million if the film's final total is similar to "Maleficent," which took in $759 million globally.
Celebrity publicist Liza Anderson told London's Evening Standard that the British actress has made all the right moves so far.
"I think she has the world in the palm of her hand," said Anderson. "She is the biggest star in the world right now. She can star in anything. She could produce. She's America's sweetheart and a global sweetheart."
"There's no better position to be in right now. I'm sure she has Hollywood banging at her door. She's a perfect combination of outspoken and demure, and those are qualities both men and women love."
The Evening Standard said Watson turned down a chance to appear in "La La Land" to stay focused on her appearance in "Beauty and the Beast." Emma Stone took the part and won the Academy Award for best actress this year.
Movie-goers got to see Watson grow up over the course of the eight-movie "Harry Potter" series, in which she reportedly earned $60 million, said E! News.
Watson has been outspoken on her views on the wage gap between actors and actresses, telling Esquire last year that women often get labeled if they broach the topic of salary.
"We are not supposed to talk about money, because people will think you're 'difficult' or a 'diva,'" said Watson. "But there's a willingness now to be like, 'Fine. Call me a diva, call me a feminazi, call me difficult, call me a First World feminist, call me whatever you want, it's not going to stop me from trying to do the right thing and make sure that the right thing happens."
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