Emma Watson was already red carpet royalty, and now she’s officially a princess.
The hip Brit is set to play Belle in a live-action adaptation of the beloved animated musical Beauty and the Beast, Disney announced Monday.
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The casting couldn’t be more perfect: Watson, 24, can draw on her inner Hermione Granger to portray bookish Belle, and her effortlessly cool fashion choices already remind us of her character.
Frederick M. Brown/Getty; Buena Vista Pictures/Courtesy Everett; Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty
Watson’s style exudes elegance and grace, and she’s already a fan of Belle’s off-the-shoulder look, as seen at the BAFTA Britannia Awards, where she rocked black-and-white Balenciaga separates. Plus, the girl can pull off yellow: She donned a gold Bottega Veneta ball gown at the N.Y.C. premiere of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2.
Chris Jackson/Getty; Buena Vista Pictures/Courtesy Everett; Charles Sykes/NBC
But what about the peasant-chic outfit Belle wears for most of the movie, while she’s still living that poor provincial life? Watson wore a crisp white shirt (sans Belle’s apron) while chatting with Prince Charming (um, William) at a dinner in May, and her pale blue, Peter Pan-collared Prada mini from a Today show appearance in 2011 is also a match.
David M. Benett/Getty; Buena Vista Pictures/Courtesy Everett
Belle does change into a pretty pink frock while she frolics — and begins to fall in love — with the Beast in the snow, bundling up in a fur-lined cape. Watson’s cropped capelet from the 2013 GQ Men of the Year Awards is edgier than one you’d find in a fairy tale, but with those abs, who can blame her.
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As for her hair, Watson usually works an updo, but she’s just as adept at Belle’s trademark low ponytail and half-up, half-down coif.
Now, we humbly nominate Joe Manganiello as Gaston. And we’re just as happy to pull together all his hunky Disney villain-worthy muscle pics if need be.
Be our guest: Can you picture Emma Watson as Belle?
– Michele Corriston
