Emma Watson To Star In Disney's Live-Action Beauty And The Beast
The Harry Potter star has landed her next major movie role.
Despite still being best known for starring in the Harry Potter movies, Emma Watson has delivered a number of impressive performances since that franchise ended. In fact, it's fair to say that out of the three young stars who led the J.K. Rowling adaptations, it's Watson who has most successfully distanced herself from the character she played. Regardless, the British actress has now lined up her next high profile role, confirming via her Facebook page that she will star in Disney's live-action musical adaptation of Beauty and the Beast. "Im finally able to tell you that I will be playing Belle in Disneys new live-action Beauty and the Beast! It was such a big part of my growing up, it almost feels surreal that Ill get to dance to Be Our Guest and sing Something There. My six year old self is on the ceiling heart bursting. Time to start some singing lessons. I cant wait for you to see it." If this news feels familiar, it's because Watson was previously attached to star in Warner Bros.' Beauty, that studio's take on the classic fairly tale which would have seen Guillermo del Toro direct before he decided to leave and focus on other projects. This film will be directed by Bill Condon (The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn) from a screenplay by Evan Spiliotopoulos (Hercules). Disney's animated Beauty and the Beast earned over $425 million worldwide back in 1991 and was their first animated feature to be taken to Broadway. This movie will follow Maleficent and Kenneth Branagh's Cinderella, an indication perhaps that live-action versions of many classic cartoons will be seen in cinemas for years to come.