I am very excited for Emma Watson, she just turned eighteen, has landed a role in “Napoleon and Betsy,” a period drama during Napoleon’s exile on the isolated British Isle of St. Helena.

What an appropriate eighteenth birthday present!  

Watson will play Betsy Balcombe, a young, hotheaded noblewoman held as prisoner on the isolated island. She falls in love Napoleon.

Scarlett Johansson departed from the role as it requires a younger lead.

Johansson is still involved with the producing of the film.

Watson is admired for her role as Hermione Granger in Warner Bros.’ “Harry Potter” films, and is wrapping up the filming on the sixth, “Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince.”

“Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows” is scheduled to start filming in early 2009, Watson plans to work on “Napoleon and Betsy” in the fall.