Her Belle is relatable and sympathetic, with her curious eyes and aura of clever bookishness and strong-willed personality (Watson was also Hermione Granger, after all!).

Watson is an ideal Belle in this wonderful remake that's at once nostalgic and new, bringing to life the musical both for kids and life-long adult fans. Potts ( Emma Thompson) - conspire to help Belle see their beastly master as something more.

Meanwhile, the Beast's household staff - led by candelabra Lumiere ( Ewan McGregor), clock Cogsworth ( Ian McKellen), and teakettle Mrs. After Belle's father, Maurice ( Kevin Kline), ends up imprisoned in the enchanted castle, she follows him and offers herself up as a prisoner in exchange for his freedom. Vain war hero Gaston ( Luke Evans) has his sights set on Belle for a wife, but she's not interested. Years later, Belle ( Emma Watson), a smart, book-loving girl living in the village near the castle dreams of something more than her daily routine. It turns him into an ugly beast and his castle's attendants into household objects until he can find someone to love him despite his looks. BEAUTY AND THE BEAST opens with a prologue: A greedy, careless, party-loving French prince ( Dan Stevens) refuses to help an old woman seeking shelter, so she transforms into an enchantress and places a curse on him.

Beauty and the Beast instal the new