Now that a yearly Harry Potter shoot is no longer a part of their schedule, the stars of the most successful film franchise of all time are starting to branch out. Daniel Radcliffe has been making a successful run on Broadway in between film projects, and now Emma Watson is preparing to stretch her chops as a leading lady. Variety reports that Sofia Coppola has tapped Watson to star in her next project, The Bling Ring. The film is based on the true story of a group of teenagers who robbed the homes of the rich and famous between October 2008 and August 2009, coming away with over $3 million worth of loot from the likes of Paris Hilton, Orlando Bloom, and Lindsay Lohan. Coppola wrote the project, which she will also direct and produce.I think Watson has incredible potential and I’m excited to see her take on a Coppola film. I didn’t love Somewhere, but Coppola has an undeniably unique voice and a knack for making young actresses flourish onscreen. Watson just wrapped The Perks of Being a Wallflower and is set to re-team with Potter director David Yates on an adaptation of the memoir Your Voice in My Head. The actress has some challenging dramatic material ahead of her and I’m eager to see Watson come into her own.