Eight hours ago Emma Watson announced via Facebook that she would be playing the role of Belle in the new live-action film adaption of Disney's Beauty and the Beast. I personally think this is a marvelous casting decision that will pay off in Disney's favor. I was even shocked to find out that a lot of people found her wrong for the role, and proceeded to suggest several other actresses they thought were a better fit. These of course are the same people that are very excited to see the new live-action Cinderella film. Where, frankly, everyone looks the same and there is no diversity featured. In the new Cinderella we once again see very skinny girls that are strikingly beautiful with blue eyes and blonde hair. I'm sorry to be a wet blanket, but as a woman of mixed origin and not a size zero, I don't feel like that movie is for not only my demographic, but many others.
The reason I like Watson for the role of Belle is that, unlike Cinderella, she is not an obvious beauty. Thus we see the irony in a role where the girl is supposed to be the most beautiful girl in the land and is named Belle. I'm not saying Watson is not stunning because she is. She as a brand is a very good call for Disney. She looks healthy and has the smarts that should go along with the character of Belle. She is also a Goodwill Ambassador for UN Women. She has been a strong voice for gender equality. We have seen her in several roles where she has shown her acting chops and that she can go head to head with any of her male counterparts. Her personal brand is very likable, and many of us have grown up alongside her through the Harry Potter films.
Choices like this also remind me of a favorite of mine from 1998. Ever After: A Cinderella Story starred Drew Barrymore as Cinderella. Once again not an obvious beauty but still a great choice that showed young girls you can look different. We don't all have to be a size zero with blonde hair and blue eyes to be beautiful. Barrymore was healthy in the role with red/brown hair and looked immaculate. Ever After is still a huge favorite with a lot of young women today. Now I do understand that certain casting choices had to be made when it comes to these newer films. Live-action films are going to be some of the only things coming heavy from Disney for the next few years. We also have another Alice in Wonderland film to look forward to and I also hear rumors about a new Little Mermaid film on the horizon. My only hopes with that is that they take a more Maleficent route or tell more of the original story, or at least something that does not teach such a horrible lesson as the 1989 film.
One thing I would like to see from Disney though is more diversity. I recently saw a post on Clip'd titled '17 Rejected Princesses' that featured different princesses that Disney should take a second look at. I was surprised to see that many of these women were of African or Asian decent. Sure Tiana gave us an African American Disney Princess, but do we really need to wait 20 years before we have another. I still say 12 Dancing Princesses with a Spanish princess could be amazing. Another thing I noticed about this selection of women is many of them were warriors. I found that interesting that Disney now seems to be on this 'I am woman hear me roar' kick and they haven't tried any of these stories. We will just have to wait and see how Disney continues to evolve. For now I am happy that Watson got this part and I can't wait to buy my ticket. What do you think of Watson as the new Belle? Comment with your thoughts. I'll also attach the article I talked about above so you all can check it out.
M.
17 "Rejected Princesses"
http://www.clipd.com/movies/7945/17-rejected-princesses-that-totally-need-their-own-disney-movies#slide/0
The reason I like Watson for the role of Belle is that, unlike Cinderella, she is not an obvious beauty. Thus we see the irony in a role where the girl is supposed to be the most beautiful girl in the land and is named Belle. I'm not saying Watson is not stunning because she is. She as a brand is a very good call for Disney. She looks healthy and has the smarts that should go along with the character of Belle. She is also a Goodwill Ambassador for UN Women. She has been a strong voice for gender equality. We have seen her in several roles where she has shown her acting chops and that she can go head to head with any of her male counterparts. Her personal brand is very likable, and many of us have grown up alongside her through the Harry Potter films.
Choices like this also remind me of a favorite of mine from 1998. Ever After: A Cinderella Story starred Drew Barrymore as Cinderella. Once again not an obvious beauty but still a great choice that showed young girls you can look different. We don't all have to be a size zero with blonde hair and blue eyes to be beautiful. Barrymore was healthy in the role with red/brown hair and looked immaculate. Ever After is still a huge favorite with a lot of young women today. Now I do understand that certain casting choices had to be made when it comes to these newer films. Live-action films are going to be some of the only things coming heavy from Disney for the next few years. We also have another Alice in Wonderland film to look forward to and I also hear rumors about a new Little Mermaid film on the horizon. My only hopes with that is that they take a more Maleficent route or tell more of the original story, or at least something that does not teach such a horrible lesson as the 1989 film.
One thing I would like to see from Disney though is more diversity. I recently saw a post on Clip'd titled '17 Rejected Princesses' that featured different princesses that Disney should take a second look at. I was surprised to see that many of these women were of African or Asian decent. Sure Tiana gave us an African American Disney Princess, but do we really need to wait 20 years before we have another. I still say 12 Dancing Princesses with a Spanish princess could be amazing. Another thing I noticed about this selection of women is many of them were warriors. I found that interesting that Disney now seems to be on this 'I am woman hear me roar' kick and they haven't tried any of these stories. We will just have to wait and see how Disney continues to evolve. For now I am happy that Watson got this part and I can't wait to buy my ticket. What do you think of Watson as the new Belle? Comment with your thoughts. I'll also attach the article I talked about above so you all can check it out.
M.
17 "Rejected Princesses"
http://www.clipd.com/movies/7945/17-rejected-princesses-that-totally-need-their-own-disney-movies#slide/0