Disney Princess Battle! Emma Watson, who turned down the lead in Cinderella, explains why Beauty and the Beast‘s Belle is so vastly superior.
In a Total Film interview, Watson revealed that she had a chance to play Cinderella in Disney’s live-action film that ended up starring Lily James, before she even knew about Beauty and the Beast.
As reported by E! News and The Mary Sue, Watson says, “When they offered me Belle, I just felt the character resonated with me so much more than Cinderella did. She remains curious, compassionate and open-minded. And that’s the kind of woman I would want to embody as a role model, given the choice.”
Related: Emma Watson sings “Belle” in new Beauty and the Beast clip
Pointing out Belle’s “empowering defiance,” Watson compares herself to the Disney heroine:
“I don’t feel like I particularly fitted in when I was younger. 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.
Even as Belle’s story turns to romance, “She manages to keep her integrity and have a completely independent point of view. She’s not easily swayed by other people’s perspective—not swayed by fear-mongering or scapegoating.”
Watson, who previously revealed that she had a hand in making Belle an inventor in this version of the tale, also admits that she had some “concerns” about the original script, and only agreed because Disney promised her it would be a collaborative process with director Bill Condon.
Clearly, Emma Watson is passionate about Beauty and the Beast, and wants Belle to empower a modern audience. We love it! Now we’re even more excited for the movie to hit cinemas on March 17.