Beauty And The Beast’s 1991 Belle Has Nothing But Kind Words For Emma Watson

One of the reasons why Beauty and the Beast charmed viewers in 1991 is its captivating heroine, Belle. Twenty-five years later, Disney announced its aspiration to bring back the magic through a live action remake. This time, Emma Watson will give life to Belle’s character.

Fans only got a glimpse of the British beauty as Belle but Paige O’Hara has nothing but kind words for the Harry Potter actress. The “original” Belle who voiced the character in the animated film told USA Today that Watson will give justice to the role.

“I think that if I were producing that movie, Emma Watson would’ve been my first choice for Belle. I was just really happy they went with Emma. She’s got the intelligence, she’s got the humor. I think she’s going to be really, really special.”

It isn’t the first time that O’Hara lauded Watson. She mentioned that Watson’s “old soul” is a reflection of Belle’s character. “She was so strong, so independent, and in this day and age she would be for women’s rights,” she told Buzzfeed. “She wasn’t looking for a prince, she fell in love with a man.”

The Broadway star considers Beauty and the Beast close to her heart. Following the animated film’s 1991 release, O’Hara continued to voice Belle in several projects until 2011. That year, she was given the Disney Legend Award for her work.

Fans are pleased to know that O’ Hara is extending her all-out support to the successor of her character. She hasn’t met Watson yet, but if there’s one scene she can’t wait to see in the live remake, it’s the part where Belle realizes her feelings for Beast is starting to blossom.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nwZEcdBMLLU

O’Hara’s former co-stars Robby Benson and Richard White have likewise expressed excitement over the Beauty and the Beast live-action remake.

Linda Woolverton, the screenplay writer of the original Beauty and the Beast film, previously said that Belle’s character was inspired by Jo from The Little Women. Many fairy tales depict princesses waiting for their princes, but Woolverton wanted more. She wanted a strong and adventurous character.

Earlier this year, Watson said that Belle was one of her “first tastes of feminism.” She loved how her life did not only revolve about “marrying the most handsome guy in the village.”

The Disney project will stay faithful to the original Beauty and the Beast storyline which portrayed Belle being imprisoned by the brooding Beast in his castle. Belle eventually realizes that Beast’s real persona is far from being atrocious. However, hunter Gaston isn’t delighted. He’s willing to do all things just to win Belle even if it means slaying Beast.

Some fans might be worried if Disney is doing the right thing. Beauty and the Beast director Bill Condon understands where the fans are coming from, but for him, it’s a wonderful idea to revive the classic film.

Condon told the Independent that they’re now able to incorporate modern touches to the remake.

“I was so excited to hear that Disney was thinking about doing a live-action version of Beauty and the Beast. When something is so perfect, why get near it? The answer is technology has caught up to the ideas that were introduced in that movie.”

To help fans see the difference, the Beauty and the Beast sneak peak shows the 1991 animated version of Beast’s enchanted ballroom. The clip was then followed by the live-action version of the same ballroom. Disney likewise released sketches of Belle’s iconic blue-and-white apron costume. The new drawings feature Belle wearing boots instead of flats. She is no longer carrying a basket and her hairstyle also had a tiny makeover.

Beauty and the Beast will come out on March 17, 2017. Apart from Watson, other cast members include Dan Stevens as Beast, Luke Evans as Gaston, Ian McKellen as Cogsworth, Ewan McGregor as Lumiere, Josh Gad as LeFou, Stanley Tucci as Cadenza, and Emma Thompson as Mrs. Potts.

[Featured Image by Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images]