‘Beauty and the Beast’ Film, Updates: Original Belle Voice Actress Offers Advice to Emma Watson; Sketch Art Showcases Belle’s Movie Costume

‘Beauty and the Beast’ original voice actress Paige O’Hara recently offered some advice to Emma Watson for the role of Belle in the upcoming live-action adaptation directed by Bill Condon. Meanwhile, new sketch art showed Belle’s possible movie costume.

Paige O’Hara, who lent her voice to Belle in the original Disney animated film ‘Beauty and the Beast’, offered some advice to Watson, who is taking on the role in the live-action adaptation of the fairytale of the same name.

According to Digital Spy, O’Hara said, "I can't wait to meet her… She's perfect casting… As I'm passing the torch to Emma – just enjoy the ride. You're going to be a heroine. You are already with all your other movies, but this one's going to last your entire life.” She added, "When you're my age, you're going to be looking back at doing Beauty and the Beast."

The 60-year old American actress and singer began her career on Broadway and starred in the musical ‘Showboat’. She made her feature film debut on the 1991 animated musical film as the heroine Belle. She continued to voice the character in the subsequent direct-to-video follow-ups ‘Beauty and the Beast: An Enchanted Christmas’ as well as ‘Beauty and the Beast: Belle’s Magical World’.

The original film directed by Gary Trousdale and Kirk Wise became a massive financial and commercial success. It won two Academy Awards for Best Music - Original Score and Best Music – Original Song. It also won a Golden Globe Award for Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy as well a host of Grammy Awards.

According to The Numbers, the animated film earned $451.42 million at the worldwide box office on a production budget of $20 million. It took the second spot for highest-grossing films of 1991.

The upcoming live-action adaptation is directed by Bill Condon and stars an ensemble cast including Watson as Belle, Dan Stevens as The Beast, Luke Evans as Gaston, Emma Thompson as Mrs. Potts, Ewan McGregor as Lumiere, Ian McKellen as Cogsworth, Kevin Kline as Maurice, Stanley Tucci as Cadenza, and Josh Gad as LeFou.

According to Seventeen, early sketches of Belle’s movie costume were recently released with one showing the character in her iconic blue peasant dress. It seems that the reimagining of the Disney princess’ outfit looks shabbier and more realistic compared to her animated version’s counterpart. Belle is shown dressed head to toe in a blue and white apron paired with boots, with her hair in a lose ponytail.

‘Beauty and the Beast’ is an upcoming live-action remake of the original fantasy musical film of the same name. It is produced under Mandeville Films and Walt Disney Pictures and is scheduled for release on March 17, 2017 in the United States.