Actress Emma Watson will play Belle in a live-action remake of Disney’s animated classic Beauty and the Beast.
The 24-year-old, who shot to fame as Hermione in the Harry Potter film franchise and is now a Goodwill Ambassador for UN Women, made the announcement to fans in a Facebook post.
“[Beauty and the Beast] 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,” Watson wrote.
“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.”
The film will be directed by Bill Condon and produced by Mandeville Films’ David Hoberman and Todd Lieberman, Disney said in a blog post.
Production is expected to begin later this year.