Harry Potter star Emma Watson has been cast to play Belle in Disney’s new live-action Beauty and the Beast.
The English actress was first attached to the remake in 2011, but has now confirmed via her Facebook page that she has closed the deal to play the Beauty and the Beast protagonist, Belle.
In her post she states “It was such a big part of my growing up, it almost feels surreal that I’ll 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 can’t wait for you to see it”.
The Disney reboot will be directed by Bill Condon (The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn) whilst Stephen Chbosky, who directed The Perks of Being a Wallflower is set to write the screenplay.
Production on Beauty and the Beast is scheduled to begin later this year with further cast details to be announced. The film release date is currently set for 2016.
