Emma Watson to Star in Disney’s ‘Beauty and the Beast’ (Exclusive)
Director Bill Condon has cast the “Harry Potter” actress as Belle in the live-action adaptation
Jeff Sneider | January 26, 2015 @ 8:00 AM
Last Updated: January 26, 2015 @ 6:35 PM
“Harry Potter” alum Emma Watson has closed a deal to star in Disney’s live-action musical “Beauty and the Beast,” TheWrap has learned.
Bill Condon (“The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn”) will direct from a script written by Stephen Chbosky, who directed Watson in “The Perks of Being a Wallflower.” Evan Spiliotopoulos wrote the previous draft of the screenplay.
Watson is set to play Belle in “Beauty and the Beast,” which is the latest Disney classic to receive a live-action adaptation following “Maleficent,” “Cinderella” and Jon Favreau‘s upcoming take on “The Jungle Book.”
Watson had previously been attached to star in Guillermo del Toro’s “Beauty,” which the director was developing for Warner Bros. before exiting the project in June, when Disney hired Condon. When WB’s version hit a snag, Disney began to court Watson for its own adaptation with del Toro’s blessing, as the studio agreed that Watson would be perfect as Belle, according to a source.
“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.”
Disney’s 1991 animated feature “Beauty and the Beast” grossed more than $375 million worldwide and earned a rare Oscar nomination for Best Picture. The timeless tale also spawned a Broadway play.
Best known for playing Hermione Granger in the “Harry Potter” films, Watson has worked hard to establish herself as an actress outside of the blockbuster franchise. She recently starred in Darren Aronofsky’s “Noah” and Sofia Coppola’s “The Bling Ring,” and she also played herself in the hit comedy “This Is the End”
Watson next stars opposite Ethan Hawke in Alejandro Amenabar’s thriller “Regression.” She’s s represented by WME and Markham, Froggatt and Irwin.
The Evolution of Miley Cyrus: From Clean and Chipper to Controversial Stripper (Photos)
Destiny Hope Cyrus, destined to become entertainment sensation known as Miley Cyrus, was born in Nashville, Tenn., on Nov. 23, 1993 to parents Letitia Jean and country singer Billy Ray Cyrus. This baby photo was snapped while Cyrus and her father were attending an Elvis Presley Tribute Concert on Oct. 8, 1994 at the Pyramid Arena in Memphis.
March 11, 2001: The future Disney star makes her adorable television debut alongside her dad, Billy Ray Cyrus, in the "Doc" pilot.
Feb. 9, 2006: The young actress appeared at a Disney Channel event in New York City one month ahead of the premiere of her hit sitcom, "Hannah Montana."
Jan. 9, 2007: Cyrus charms the press with a squeaky clean smile while walking the red carpet the People's Choice Awards.
Feb. 10, 2008:Â Cyrus appears on stage next to '80s icon Cyndi Lauper at the 50th annual Grammy Awards to present Amy Winehouse. Her dress stayed on.
April, 2008: The tongue comes out during the taping of "Idol Gives Back" at the former Kodak Theater in Los Angeles.
Jan. 11, 2009: Cyrus attends the 66th annual Golden Globe Awards with her parents.
Sept. 3, 2009: Cyrus didn't strip down, but she did get down at the Teen Choice awards while performing a headline-grabbing PG-13 pole dance.
Sept. 17, 2009: Cyrus exposes a whole lotta leg during a performance at the VH1 Divas ceremony in New York City.
Jan. 31, 2010: Cyrus attends the 52nd annual Grammy Awards in attire that is noticeably shorter and tighter than previous award show outfits.
June 6, 2010: Cyrus' outfits get skimpier and shorter while performing at the Rock in Rio Madrid Festival in Spain.
Feb. 12, 2011: Cyrus rocks a mesh chest to a Pre-Grammy Gala at the Beverly Hilton.
May 10, 2011: The singer's budding sexuality is on full display during a "Gypsy Heart" Tour stop in Paraguay.
Feb. 26, 2012: Cyrus keeps it classy -- and covered -- at the 2012 Vanity Fair Oscar party.
June 27, 2012: Cyrus supports her man, and shows off an engagement ring, at the Australians in Film Awards and Benefit Dinner in Los Angeles.
Sept. 6, 2012: Her style evolution continued to surprise when she debuted a dramatically different look at last year's MTV Video Music Awards.
Dec. 16, 2012: Cyrus debuts another new look while arriving for the VH1 Divas ceremony in Los Angeles.
Dec. 16, 2012: The pop star's new attitude is on full display when taking a cue from Michael Jackson during a performance at the annual VH1 event.
May 4, 2013: Cyrus tops Maxim's annual Hot 100 List for the first time, and broke the news herself by posting this photo on her Instagram account. "My 1st Instagram is dedicated to all my fans," she wrote. "Thank you for crowning me #1 Maxim Hot 100."
May 6, 2013: Cyrus goes punk rock in honor of the "PUNK: Chaos to Courture" exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City last spring.
June 2, 2013: Cyrus uploads a new Instragram photo highlighting a new necklace -- and her cleavage.
June 28, 2013: Cyrus twerks it at Y100's Mackapoolza in Miami, Fla.
Aug. 11, 2013: Cyrus continues to let her tongue do the talking after winning a Teen Choice award.
Aug. 14, 2013: Taking a page from Rihanna's social media playbook, Cyrus makes a concentrated effort to let everyone know that she likes to smoke pot by uploading this photo to her Instagram account.
Aug. 25, 2013: Cyrus arrives at the 2013 MTV Video Music Awards in, uh...style?
Aug. 25, 2013: Cyrus is No. 1 on Twitter after sticking a foam finger where the sun don't shine while grinding her tiny hiney all over married man, Robin Thicke.
Aug. 26, 2013: Another day, another booty shot.
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See her evolution from adorable Disney star to scantily-clad pop star