Beauty and her ‘Beastie’
Emma Watson takes on another iconic role
LOS ANGELES — Emma Watson will be forever linked to Hermione in the Harry Potter movies. But the 26-year-old can add another role to her famous list — Belle in the live action remake of Beauty and the Beast.
Based on the classic 1991 Disney animation, the latest musical contains four new songs and more defined characters. However, Watson’s Belle is still held captive in a castle by the misunderstood Beast (Dan Stevens in a performing motion capture role).
As Belle, Watson also sings and dances which was a challenge for the actress though it was one she says she enjoyed.
Here are more Watson observations during a Beverly Hills hotel interview:
Watson was a fan of Belle as a child, which continues to have an impact on her as an adult:
“It’s remarkable to play someone that I’m sure had an influence on the woman I have become. I think the first time I saw Paige O’Hara sing Belle, I immediately resonated with her. I was so young I didn’t even know what I was tapping into but there was something about that spirit, and there was something about that energy, that I just knew she was my champion.”
Luckily, she got along well with Stevens. Although he was always present in his motion capture gear on the massive studio sets near London.
“I called Dan, for most of the movie, Beastie.” She enthusiastically jumped into the difficult task of updating Belle for a 21st century audience with able assistance from director Bill Condon.
“I love that in our version, Belle is not awed and doesn’t fit in. You see her reading, and you see her not really a part of the community ... and she’s an activist within her own community. She’s teaching other young girls, who are part of her village, to read.”
Watson made sure Belle has an edge to her, as well.
“I think that Belle is this ultimate symbol of the fact that books can be rebellious, incredibly empowering and liberating. I was proud to play a character that has a certain earnestness about her and honesty. And she’s not in any way ashamed of that.”
Speaking of perseverance, Watson earned an English literature degree from Brown University in Rhode Island after five years of juggling an acting career and studying at Oxford University. What would she say to a college freshman?
“I remember feeling at school that if I didn’t fit in there was nothing else. And that’s a really difficult feeling. I guess what I would say for anyone who feels like an outsider in their environment, there is a big, wide world out there with different people with diverse opinions, perspectives and interests. So go out there and find your tribe, go find your kindred spirits, and know that they do exist.”