Rumors have been flying around for the past couple of years–is Emma going to play a princess on screen, or is she not? The question has been up in the air for quite a while. Yesterday, the question was answered. Emma Watson tweeted a couple of lyrics from from the opening song to Disney’s Beauty and the Beast as the news broke: Emma Watson will be playing the role of Belle in Disney’s new live-action movie of it’s hit cartoon classic. The studio announced yesterday that filming is anticipated to begin later this year, according to the Wall Street Journal. The Wall Street Journal wrote:
Watson has been cast as Belle, the studio announced yesterday, the book-loving prisoner of the titular Beast’s castle in the tale as old as time. Production on the film is anticipated to begin later this year, and it is set to be directed by Bill Condon (“Dreamgirls,” “The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Parts 1 and 2?).
Disney’s original 1991 animated version of the French fairy tale, which was first spun off into a Broadway musical in 1994, featured three Academy Award-nominated songs by Alan Menken and Howard Ashman (“Beauty and the Beast” took home the Oscar for Best Original Song in 1992). Upon posting the news of her casting on her Facebook page, Watson said she couldn’t wait to start singing Menken and Ashman’s famous tunes.
Emma Watson wrote:
Add a CommentI’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