Emma Watson's Director Made Her an Unforgettable Promise

When Emma Watson considered starring in The Perks of Being a Wallflower, director Stephen Chbosky made her an offer she couldn't refuse. It wasn't about the paycheck - instead, he promised her something far more valuable. "You'll have the summer of your life and meet some of your best friends," Chbosky told the former Harry Potter actress. Years later, Watson confirmed that his words proved prophetic: "Everything he said came true."

The bond between Watson and Chbosky extended well beyond filming. In 2023, nearly ten years after the movie's release, the director gave Watson a special graduation gift when she completed her studies at Brown University. He presented her with a limited edition copy of T.S. Eliot's "The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock," complete with a personal inscription that moved Watson to tears.

A Gift That Captured Their Lasting Connection

During a 2023 interview with Vogue, Watson shared the touching message Chbosky had written inside the book. "For Emma on her graduation. These words by T.S. Eliot are forever. So is your passion for learning, for living, for literature... You, my dear Sam, are infinite," the inscription read. Watson paused while reading it aloud, clearly emotional about the gesture.

"He's just the nicest man in the world. Inscriptions in books is my favorite thing," Watson said, her voice filled with genuine affection for her former director. The reference to "Sam" honored Watson's character in the film, a free-spirited teenager who becomes part of Charlie's transformative high school experience alongside Patrick, played by Ezra Miller.

Why The Story Sparked Controversy

Chbosky's 1999 novel, which he adapted into the 2012 film, doesn't shy away from difficult subjects. The coming-of-age story tackles sexual assault, substance abuse, and mental health struggles with unflinching honesty. While this authenticity resonated with readers and viewers, it also made the book a target for censorship efforts across American schools.

Between 2003 and 2023, numerous school districts either restricted access to the book or removed it entirely from their libraries. Critics cited concerns about profanity, sexual content, drug references, and LGBTQ+ themes. Chbosky expressed his disappointment with these bans, noting that he had lost count of how many times his work faced censorship.

"I was sad because you publish a book, in part, to end the silence about certain issues. But then certain people object, and they try to censor your book," Chbosky explained. "I know what the book has meant to certain kids because I've been getting letters from them for well over a decade."

Could There Be a Sequel?

The 2012 film adaptation earned $33.3 million against its $13 million budget and developed a devoted following. Watson's performance as Sam, alongside Logan Lerman as Charlie, helped establish the movie as a cult classic that handled heavy topics with remarkable sensitivity.

Chbosky has acknowledged thinking about a potential sequel, though not necessarily in book form. "I'll tell you, honest truth, not in terms of the book, but I love these kids so much that I kind of want to bring them together one more time," he admitted in 2012. The director described adapting his own novel as particularly stressful because of his personal connection to the material.

"I think it was probably more stressful because I felt so connected and it was so personal... I would have been very, very sad if I messed it up," Chbosky reflected. Fortunately, he succeeded in creating a film that feels both deeply personal and universally relatable, cementing Watson's successful transition from the wizarding world to more mature dramatic roles.