Beauty and the Beast Casts Emma Watson

Actress (and everyone’s favourite feminist ambassador) Emma Watson has just been announced as the female lead in a live-action remake of Disney’s Beauty and the Beast. The Wrap reports the 24-year-old Harry Potter star will be directed by Bill Condon, whose previous work includes the incredibly successful final Twilight movie Breaking Dawn. Does this mean we should expect a moody vibe as opposed to singing plates in the finished product? Will Beast’s fur sparkle in the sunlight? Stephen Chbosky is on writing duties and with The Perks of Being a Wallflower on his resum?, we can expect good things considering he and Watson have worked together before.

Emma shared the news on her Facebook with the following statement:

?I’m finally able to tell you – that I will be playing Belle in Disney’s new live-action ?Beauty and the Beast?! 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. Emma xx.?

Live-action adaptations of Disney favourites are very much in vogue these days. Last summer saw Angelina Jolie take on Maleficent and this March we can expect Cinderella on our screens. Sofia Coppola is working on a version of The Little Mermaid and Joe Wright’s big budget Peter Pan movie Pan is also on the horizon. It’s all very nostalgic and reminds us of our VHS-dominated childhood. Keep up the good work Hollywood.

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