Emily Watson turned down Amelie

Hit French movie Amelie was originally written for British actress Emily Watson - but she couldn't speak the language.

Movie maker Jean-Pierre Jeunet felt sure Watson could master the language when he created his famous character for her, but she had to pass.

The Gosford Park star says: "He (Jeunet) wanted someone to speak in English and French… so I said no."

But Watson was delighted when French actress Audrey Tautou landed the role, and shot to acclaim - because the same thing happened to her when Helena Bonham Carter turned down the lead role in Lars Von Trier's Breaking The Waves.

Watson adds: "Amelie launched Audrey Tautou, and she is a superstar now, which is fantastic. The same thing happened to me - Helena Bonham Carter was going to do Breaking The Waves and she dropped out, and there was my opportunity."