From UN ambassador to Disney star! Emma Watson has confirmed that she will be playing the beloved character of Belle in a new live version of Beauty and the Beast. "I'm finally able to tell you … that I will be playing Belle in Disney's new live-action Beauty and the Beast!" Emma wrote on her Facebook page on Monday.
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She continued: "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."
Emma Watson accepts the BAFTA for British Artist of the Year
She added: "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"
The 24-year-old actress shot to fame at the age of 11 in the Harry Potter franchise and in recent years has received acclaim for films including The Perks of Being a Wallflower, and The Bling Ring.
Bill Condon, who directed The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn — Part 1 and Part 2, will be in the director's chair for Beauty and the Beast.
Emma Watson at the World Economic Forum in January
A live version of the 1991 Disney classic follows in the footsteps of other live adaptations, including Alice in Wonderland in 2010 and Cinderella, which is set for release this March.
Emma's news comes days after she spoke to politicians and business leaders at the World Economic Forum about equality. The new launch, aimed at businesses around the world, is part of Emma's HeForShe campaign which asks men to join the fight for gender equality.