Emma Watson perfect for 'Beauty and the Beast': Bill Condon

Director Bill Condon says actress Emma Watson was always the first choice for Belle in his ambitious live-action reimagining of "Beauty and the Beast".

Watson was originally set to star in "La La Land", for which Emma Stone won the best actress Oscar this year, but things did not work out and she went on to sign the Disney musical.

"I don't know exactly what happened there but I am so glad that Emma (Watson) agreed to do my film. Both are great actresses. Emma Stone is fabulous in 'La La Land' and she won an Academy award for that.

"Emma Watson is perfect for 'Beauty'. She was always my first choice. Sometimes things align in the perfect way," Condon told

(This article has not been edited by DNA's editorial team and is auto-generated from an agency feed.)