Emma Watson Quits Acting to Focus on Feminism -- Will Hermione Leave Screens for Good?

Ever since bravely speaking in front of the United Nations and the world to discuss modern-day feminism, Harry Potter actress Emma Watson has become one of the most important younger voices in the fight for gender equality. Now, the Hermione Granger actress, who will be playing a Disney princess on the big screen next year, has said she's quitting acting -- but for how long?

Watson recently spoke at length with Paper Magazine about her work on gender equality, a cause she has been internationally very outspoken for in the past couple of years, and she revealed she's taking a year off acting to focus on her readings on feminism.

Talking to feminist author bell hooks, the actress revealed there are two reasons behind her decision to take time off: personal development and going further in her studies on gender equality.

"I almost thought about going and doing a year of gender studies, then I realized that I was learning so much by being on the ground and just speaking with people and doing my reading. That I was learning so much on my own," Watson, who holds a Bachelor in English Literature from Ivy League school Brown, explained. "I actually wanted to keep on the path that I'm on. I'm reading a lot this year, and I want to do a lot of listening."

As The Guardian reports, Watson is also working hard on her own project: a book club dedicated to feminist literature. Since last January, Watson has been running the club on Goodreads, and so far they've read Gloria Steinem's My Life on the Road and, most recently, Alice Walker's The Color Purple; and Steinem even agreed to be interviewed by Watson!

Though obviously not filming any projects right now, Watson still has a few lined up releasing within the next couple of years, including period thriller Colonia with Daniel Brühl, The Circle with Tom Hanks, and playing Belle in a live-action version of Disney's classic musical Beauty and the Beast.