LOS ANGELES -- The magic continues. Disney has cast Emma Watson as Belle for a live-action Beauty and the Beast that will tentatively start production later this year.
Watson, known for her role as Hermione in the Harry Potter film franchise and Sam in The Perks of Being a Wallflower (and, more recently, as an advocate for gender equality), will take on the legendary yellow-clad title character, Disney confirmed in an email to Mashable.
And there will be singing, the 24-year-old hinted on Facebook:
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Post by Emma Watson.
Bill Condon will serve as director on the movie, and Mandeville Films’ David Hoberman and Todd Lieberman will take on producing credits.
This adaptation follows Disney's other live-actions: Maleficent (starring Angelina Jolie) and Cinderella (Lily James). Disney also has Jon Favreau's The Jungle Book in the works.