'Beauty and the Beast' Cast & Plot: Emma Watson to Play Belle in Live-Action Musical

Emma Watson
Emma Watson will be playing Belle in Disney's live-action adaptation of Beauty and the Beast. |

From playing the lead heroine in the highly acclaimed Harry Potter films, Emma Watson has recently been unveiled as the new "Belle" for the classic fairytale "Beauty and the Beast," Times reported.

The Disney version of the Beauty and the Beast will be a live-action musical, as revealed by TheWrap. Apart from casting a renowned lead actress, the project also boasts a star-studded team.

"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'," posted the ecstatic 24-year-old on her Facebook account.

Bill Condon, who worked as the director of the last two installments of the blockbuster film "The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn," will also direct the live-action adaptation of Beauty and the Beast. He is also known to direct TV movies such as "The Man Who Wouldn't Die," "White Lie" and "Murder 101."

Condon is also recognized as a writer and producer of several hit shows including "The Greatest Showman on Earth" and "Chicago."

Meanwhile, the project's script was written by Stephen Chbosky who recently worked with Watson as the director of the film "The Perks of Being a Wallflower."

The latest retelling of the love story involving this classic princess will be produced by David Hoberman and Todd Lieberman.

Hoberman served as the executive producer for big screen hits such as "Warm Bodies," "Insurgent," "Muppets Most Wanted" and "By Way of Helena," while Lieberman is known for producing popular television series and movies including "Detroit 1-8-7," "Geek Charming," "Sea of Fire" and "King John." Both producers have worked together in numerous television and big screen projects as well.

Prior to breaking the news in social networking platforms herself, Disney's decision to cast the "fashion icon" as the "bookish beauty" in the upcoming live-action interpretation of the widely known fairy tale was announced by the studio in an official press release.