Disney is continuing its trend of turning classic animated films into live-action movies. For the new "Beauty and the Beast" film, the studio has enlisted Emma Watson to play the princess.

Disney announced the news on Monday in a blog post, confirming that Watson, known worldwide for her role as Hermione Granger in the "Harry Potter" series, will play Belle in the live-action "Beauty and the Beast" movie. The role will not be a hard one for Watson to play since Belle and Hermione share one particular characteristic: a love of books.

Watson also confirmed the news on her Facebook page, announcing how excited she is to take part in the remake of the classic story.

"I'm finally able to tell you ... that I will be playing Belle in Disney's new live-action Beauty and the Beast! It was such a big part of my growing up, it almost feels surreal that I'll get to dance to 'Be Our Guest' and sing 'Something There'. My six-year-old self is on the ceiling -- heart bursting. Time to start some singing lessons. I can't wait for you to see it," her Facebook page stated.

Bill Condon will direct the movie, and Mandeville Films' David Hoberman and Todd Lieberman will produce it along with Disney.

Speaking to Entertainment Weekly in October, Condon said he hoped to incorporate the 1991 movie's original score in the new film.

"Technology, we hope, has finally caught up to that treatment of the story, so I think we're all kind of excited to bring that brilliant, amazing score and beautiful story into three dimensions," he said.

Condon previously directed "Dreamgirls" as well as the last "Twilight" films.

For her part, Watson has been advocating for women's rights with the United Nations as their Women Goodwill Ambassador. During the economic summit in Davos, Switzerland, she announced a new initiative called Impact 10x10x10 pilot project, a year-long HeForShe campaign designed to promote gender equality by working with governments, corporations and universities "and having them make concrete commitments to gender equality," according to Watson. She presented the new project with U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon as well as other dignitaries.

"Beauty and the Beast" has no release date as of now.

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