It has been pretty obvious for quite some time now, that English actress Emma Watson is big on feminism, with the star actually coming in for some criticism for it along the way. With that said though, this has not deterred Emma for standing up for what she believes in and speaking out about the things that are close to her heart.

Emma Watson will next appear on the big screen in the new live action adaptation of Beauty and the Beast, admitting that playing the role of Belle is something that she could not turn down. Emma says that the character represents the Girl Power that she grew up with, which made her love every second of getting to be Belle.
Watson said, "It's really remarkable to play someone that I'm almost sure had an influence on the woman that I have become. The first time I saw Paige O'Hara sing Belle, it's the 'I Want' song of all 'I Want' songs, and I just immediately resonated with her. I was so young that I didn't even know what I was tapping into, but there was something about that spirit and energy that I just knew she was my champion."

She continued, "Every time we would address a new scene. I just always had the original DNA of that woman in mind, and I had my fists up! I love that in our version Belle is not only awed and doesn't fit in, you see her reading and she's actually an activist within her own community."
Beauty and the Beast is released today in both the US and the UK, and while the movie stars Emma Watson as Belle, it also boasts and all-star cast, with Dan Stevens taking on the role of the Beast, while Luke Evans plays the role of Gaston. It has had some pretty impressive reviews so far and we cannot wait to see it ourselves.