Emma Watson has always known that Belle was her favorite princess, even before she received the iconic role in the upcoming live action Disney remake of Beauty and the Beast.
Watson, 26, explains why she relates to Belle and why the princess is the perfect role model, as reported by E! News.
"There's this kind of outsider quality that Belle had, and the fact she had this really empowering defiance of what was expected of her. In a strange way, she challenges the status quo of the place she lives in, and I found that really inspiring. She manages to keep her integrity and have a completely independent point of view."
The Harry Potter actress even passed up on the opportunity to play Cinderella in the 2015 live action Disney remake of the blonde princess. Lily James, 27, received the role instead. Watson explains to Total Film how she passed up on the role at the time.
"I didn't know they were going to make Beauty and the Beast at the time I turned down Cinderella. But when they offered me Belle, I just felt the character resonated with me so much more than Cinderella did."
It is clear that Watson truly connects with Belle, making her the perfect casting choice for the princess. Yet, she only took the part of Belle if it would be a "collaborative" process with director Bill Condon.
In addition, the character of Belle has been changed slightly for the remake to Watson's delight. Now, Belle is an inventor, like her father. This was an important change for the British actress as she wanted to know what the princess did "all day."
Beauty and the Beast will be released in theaters on March 17, 2017.
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