Los Angeles: 'Harry Potter' star Emma Watson is joining Disney's live-action version of 'Beauty and the Beast' as the lead character Belle.

Emma Watson Pic/Santa Banta

The film will be directed by Bill Condon (The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn ¿ Part 1 and Part 2) and is set to begin production in 2015.

No release date has been announced, said the Hollywood Reporter.

"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," Watson wrote on her facebook page.

David Hoberman and Todd Lieberman of Mandeville Films are producing 'Beauty and the Beast'.