Watson's name came up again this week in rumors about the role after the German branch of the online hacker group Anonymous claimed documents they posted recently were from German studio Constantin Film, according to ABC News. One document featured Watson's name on a wish list for the role of Anastasia Steele.
However, the book's author, E.L. James, dismissed casting rumors on her official Twitter account on Friday, March 15.
"There have been no casting decisions made about 'Fifty Shades,'" she wrote.
That statement reflects what Focus Features, the studio behind the adaptation, told Entertainment Weekly on Friday. The studio told the entertainment outlet that casting has not begun for the film and that Constantin Film is not involved in the making of the project.
"Fifty Shades of Grey," by James, is the first of a trilogy about a sadomasochistic relationship between wealthy businessman Christian Grey and college student Anastasia Steele. It is a New York Times best-selling novel.
Recently, supermodel Kate Moss read an excerpt from the racy novel live on BBC's Radio 1 to help raise money for the British charity Comic relief.
Meanwhile, 22-year-old Watson might just shed her good girl "Harry Potter" image with a role in the upcoming film "The Bling Ring." The movie is based on the true story of a group of celebrity-obsessed teens who broke into the homes of several stars such as Lindsay Lohan and Paris Hilton.
Watson plays a burglar named Nicki, which is not the name of any of the real-life suspects, but is allegedly based on one of the burglars. The film was directed by Sofia Coppola and is due out on June 14.
