I’m sure many of you are familiar with the classic Disney movie, Beauty and the Beast. But do you know who played Belle? It may come as a surprise to some, but Belle was not originally voiced by Paige O’Hara.
In fact, three different actresses voiced Belle at different points during production. So, who did play Belle in Beauty and the Beast?
The first actress to provide Belle’s voice was American actress Susan Egan.
Egan was involved with the project from early on and even recorded several songs for the film before being replaced. She ultimately left the role due to creative differences with the directors.
Belle was then voiced by Australian actress Julie Kaye-Martin for a brief period of time before Paige O’Hara was cast in the role.
O’Hara is the actress most commonly associated with Belle and she has reprised her role in several subsequent projects, including Disney’s live-action remake of Beauty and the Beast.
The first live action remake of a Disney animated classic hits theaters this week with Beauty and the Beast. The film tells the story of Belle, a young woman who is taken prisoner by a beast in his castle. She eventually learns to look beyond his appearance and falls in love with him.
Emma Watson plays Belle in the new film.
Watson is no stranger to playing strong female characters. She rose to fame as Hermione Granger in the Harry Potter films and has since gone on to star in several other films, including The Bling Ring and Noah.
For Beauty and the Beast, Watson was drawn to the character of Belle because she sees her as a feminist role model. In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Watson said, “I couldn’t help thinking what would Belle be like today? What would she make of all this?”
Belle is certainly a different kind of princess than we’ve seen before.
She’s not interested in getting married or being rescued; she wants an adventure and she wants to make a difference in her small town. Watson brings all of these qualities to her performance, making Belle someone that audiences will root for throughout the film.
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Who Voiced the Original Belle?
The original voice of Belle was actress and singer Paige O’Hara. O’Hara has been the only actress to ever play the role of Belle, both in animation and live action. She is also the only person to have sung all of Belle’s songs for Disney.
Why was Emma Watson Cast As Belle?
There are many reasons why Emma Watson was cast as Belle in Disney’s 2017 live action retelling of Beauty and the Beast. For one, Watson is a household name thanks to her starring role in the Harry Potter film series. She also has proven herself to be a talented actress, singer and dancer, making her a perfect fit for the role of Belle.
Additionally, Watson is close in age to Belle’s character in the original animated film, which helped her connect with the material. Finally, Watson has expressed interest in playing strong and independent female characters like Belle, making her an ideal choice for the part.
Who Sang Belle in Beauty And the Beast?
In Disney’s 1991 animated film Beauty and the Beast, Belle is voiced by American actress and singer Paige O’Hara. Originally, Belle was planned to be a brunette woman named Colette. However, story artists felt that she lacked warmth and individuality, so they redesigned her as a blonde woman with the voice of Paige O’Hara.
Belle is an intelligent and determined young woman who yearns for adventure outside of her small, rural town. When her father Maurice becomes lost in the forest and taken prisoner by the Beast, Belle bravely takes his place. Although she is initially frightened of the Beast, Belle comes to see him as a kind-hearted soul trapped in a monster’s body.
In the end, Belle teaches the Beast to love and be loved in return, breaking the curse placed on him and his castle.
What Happened to Belle in the Original Beauty And the Beast?
Belle is a beautiful, intelligent and independent young woman who is taken prisoner by a Beast in his castle. She eventually learns to look beyond his appearance and sees the kind hearted man within. They fall in love and he proposes to her, but she tearfully rejects him, knowing that she can never be happy living as his prisoner.
The Beast releases her and she returns home to her father. As she gazes out of her window sadly, wishing she could have stayed with the Beast, he suddenly appears beside her and they ride off together into the sunset.
Behind The Scenes On BEAUTY AND THE BEAST (2017) – Movie B-Roll & Bloopers
Who Played Belle in Beauty And the Beast (1991)
The role of Belle in Disney’s Beauty and the Beast was played by actress Paige O’Hara. O’Hara was born in 1956 in Fort Erie, Ontario, Canada. She began her career as a stage actress, performing in various regional theater productions.
In 1985, she made her Broadway debut in the musical Les Misérables.
O’Hara’s film credits include The King and I (1999), Anastasia (1997), and The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1996). She has also done voice work for several animated films, including Pocahontas (1995) and Ratatouille (2007).
In 1991, O’Hara won the role of Belle in Beauty and the Beast. She received critical acclaim for her performance, and the film went on to become one of the most successful animated films of all time. O’Hara reprised her role as Belle in two direct-to-video sequels: Beauty and the Beast: The Enchanted Christmas (1997) and Belle’s Magical World (1998).
Conclusion
In the live action remake of Beauty and the Beast, Emma Watson plays Belle. Watson is best known for her role as Hermione in the Harry Potter films. She has also starred in The Perks of Being a Wallflower and This Is the End.
