Original Broadway 'Belle' Susan Egan Comments on Emma Watson in BEAUTY AND THE BEAST

Actress Emma Watson has been cast as 'Belle' in Disney's upcoming live-action interpretation of BEAUTY AND THE BEAST.

Today, stage star Susan Egan wrote a blog entry about her time playing the part on Broadway and commented on Watson's casting, writing:

"So, here comes Beauty and the Beast starring Emma Watson: a beautiful, intelligent, quirky, articulate, empowered, fighter-of-social-injustice, young actress. What a powerhouse! Yet, to read her social media release about the film's casting, she squeals in excitement like the 8-year-old who just saw the film for the first time. That's another kind of one-two punch, I think. She's ... perfect! Have fun, Emma .... and if you can sneak in a 'It's lev-ee-oh-sah, not lev-ee-oh-sah' my 8-year-old will squeal, too!"

Read Egan's full blog entry here.

The new BEAUTY AND THE BEAST film will be directed by Bill Condon and produced by Mandeville Films' David Hoberman and Todd Lieberman. Production is anticipated to begin later this year.

Egan originated the role of 'Belle' on Broadway in 1994 and was nominated for a Tony Award for her portrayal. Among her other Broadway credits are State Fair, Triumph of Love, Cabaret and Thoroughly Modern Millie.

Watson is best known for her role of Hermione Granger in the Harry Potter film series; she was cast as Hermione at the age of nine, having previously acted only in school plays. She starred in all eight Harry Potter films, alongside Daniel Radcliffe and Rupert Grint. Watson's work on the Harry Potter series has earned her several awards.

She made her modelling debut for Burberry's autumn/winter campaign in 2009. In October 2013, she was voted Sexiest Female Movie Star in a worldwide poll conducted by Empire magazine.

In 2007, Watson announced her involvement in The Tale of Despereaux and the television adaptation of the novel Ballet Shoes, which was broadcast on 26 December 2007 to an audience of 5.2 million. The Tale of Despereaux, based on the novel by Kate DiCamillo, was released in 2008 and grossed more than US$86 million in worldwide sales. In 2012, she starred in Stephen Chbosky's film adaptation of The Perks of Being a Wallflower, and in 2014, she played Ila in Darren Aronofsky's biblical epic Noah.