Emma Watson was always destined for a crown, but it turns out she was very specific about which one she wanted to wear.
While the world is currently gearing up for the highly anticipated release of Beauty and the Beast, the internet is buzzing over a newly revealed “what if” moment that could have changed Disney history.
As it turns out, the Harry Potter alum was actually offered the lead in Kenneth Branagh’s live-action Cinderella long before Belle was even on the table.
While the role eventually went to Downton Abbey star Lily James, fans are dying to know: why did Emma say no to the glass slipper?
“I didn’t know they were going to make Beauty and the Beast at the time I turned down Cinderella,” Watson recently told Total Film.
For the -year-old actress, the decision wasn’t about the movie itself, but about the message behind the character. Watson explained that when the opportunity to play Belle finally arrived, the connection was instant.
“I just felt the character resonated with me so much more than Cinderella did,” she admitted.
Watson, who is well-known for her activism and role as a UN Women Goodwill Ambassador, saw Belle as the ultimate “role model” for a new generation. She praised the character’s “outsider quality” and her refusal to conform to the expectations of those around her.
“She remains curious, compassionate, and open-minded,” Watson said. “And that’s the kind of woman I would want to embody as a role model, given the choice.”
The actress noted that she was particularly inspired by Belle’s “empowering defiance.” Unlike some traditional fairy tale tropes, Belle isn’t easily swayed by fear-mongering or the small-minded opinions of her village.
“She manages to keep her integrity and have a completely independent point of view,” Watson added.
But Watson didn’t just want to play Belle—she wanted to improve her. To bring the animated classic into the modern era, she collaborated with filmmakers to give Belle a bit more “main character energy” when it came to her life at home.
In the new film, Belle isn’t just a bookworm; she’s a full-blown inventor.
“In the animated movie, it’s her father who is the inventor, and we actually co-opted that for Belle,” Watson previously shared.
To explain why Belle didn’t fit in with her neighbors, the creative team developed a backstory where she invents a primitive washing machine. The goal? To save time on laundry chores so she could spend more time reading. Now that is a princess we can get behind!
Fans on social media are already praising Watson’s commitment to the character’s depth. On X (formerly Twitter), one fan wrote, “Emma choosing Belle because of her values is the most Emma Watson thing ever. We have to stan.”
The conversation has also taken over TikTok, with users debating the differences between the two iconic princesses and celebrating Watson’s dedication to feminist storytelling.
You can see Watson’s empowering take on the character when Beauty and the Beast hits theaters on March .
Would you have liked to see Emma as Cinderella, or was Belle the perfect fit? Let us know in the comments!
