Could there be a new chapter in the “tale as old as time?” Emma Watson certainly hopes so, and her vision for Belle’s future is officially sending Disney fans into a frenzy.
It’s been years since the live-action Beauty and the Beast waltzed into theaters and smashed box office records with a staggering $. billion global haul. Since then, fans on X (formerly Twitter) and TikTok have been practically begging for a follow-up.
Now, the woman behind the yellow gown is finally weighing in. In a recent chat with Access Hollywood, the Harry Potter alum admitted she hasn’t been keeping track of every viral hashtag, but she is more than ready to step back into those iconic flats.
“I would love to do a sequel,” Watson gushed, much to the delight of Disney fans everywhere.
But what exactly would a second chapter look like? Watson didn’t just stop at saying “yes”—she pitched a premise that feels like the perfect evolution for our favorite book-loving heroine.
“I always thought that Belle had become a teacher and she would run the library in the castle, and open it up to the village,” Watson shared. “This is where I was going.”
The idea of Belle transforming the Prince’s massive, once-hidden library into a community hub has sparked major praise online. Social media users are calling the pitch “perfectly in character” for the girl who famously always had her nose stuck in a book.
Of course, you can’t have Belle without her Prince, and Dan Stevens is already raising his hand to return to the enchanted ballroom.
The actor, who brought the Beast to life with a heart-wrenching performance of the original song “Evermore,” says he is “open to offers” regarding a potential return to the franchise.
While his character finally shook off the fur and horns at the end of the film, Stevens joked that he’d “kind of like to bring the Beast back” in some capacity. Whether that involves a flashback or some new magic remains to be seen!
While Disney production head Sean Bailey has previously suggested that a prequel or spinoff might be more likely than a direct sequel, the sheer star power and fan demand might just change the studio’s tune.
With original composer Alan Menken still creating Disney magic and the lead cast clearly onboard, the “Why not?” factor is becoming hard for the studio to ignore.
For now, we’ll just have to keep dreaming of Belle’s library school and the impact she’d have on her “quiet village.”
After all, if anyone can make a sequel happen through sheer willpower and a brilliant pitch, it’s Emma Watson. We’re keeping our fingers crossed that Disney decides to be our guest and make this happen!
Unexpected Team-Up: Prince William and Emma Watson Unite for Change
Prince William had plenty to celebrate this weekend, but his latest public appearance quickly turned heads for a very different reason. After marking his 44th birthday and Father's Day with his family, the future king returned to royal duties—and made a surprisingly personal confession about the emotional toll of climate change.
William joined Hollywood stars Emma Watson and Benedict Cumberbatch at a United for Wildlife forum in London, an initiative he launched with the Royal Foundation in 2013. The organization works around the world to combat wildlife trafficking, environmental crime, and the destruction of endangered species.
But it was William's candid admission about his own fears that stole the spotlight.
The Prince of Wales revealed that climate change has caused him "sleepless nights," admitting he has struggled with anxiety about what the future could look like. Yet instead of allowing those fears to overwhelm him, William said seeing real progress through conservation efforts has helped keep his environmental anxiety under control.
He also delivered a powerful message to business leaders, urging them to become the kind of leaders they admired when they were children. With technology and innovation transforming the world at an incredible pace, William challenged CEOs to use their influence to create meaningful change.
The event launched London Climate Action Week, with more royal appearances expected, including the Earthshot Prize assembly.
Emma Watson also delivered a surprising revelation of her own. The Harry Potter star highlighted the fashion industry's enormous environmental impact, pointing out that it produces more emissions than aviation and ranks behind only oil among major polluting industries.
Watson, who is also pursuing a doctorate in philosophy at Oxford, shared a hilarious story about mistakenly believing paparazzi were following her. After spotting photographers with telephoto lenses, she arranged a distraction and escaped through another exit. The twist? They weren't photographing her at all. They were waiting to capture a red kite.
Meanwhile, Benedict Cumberbatch praised William as "a great guy" and urged businesses and individuals to recognize that they can still make a difference, even when global environmental challenges appear overwhelming.
With William, Watson, and Cumberbatch joining forces on the issue, the London forum delivered a clear message: the fight against environmental destruction is becoming impossible for the world's biggest names to ignore.
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