Emma Watson Conjures Up a Beauty of a Post-Potter Role

There's no time like the present to think about your future. Er, right?

Which is why it makes perfect sense to us that Emma Watson is striking while the iron is scaldingly hot, signing on for her first post-Hermione lead role (so far, she's only added supporting parts to her résumé) just as Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 fulfills its destiny and becomes the most record-breaking record-breaker since records began (or something like that).

So, what's the role that tempted Emma out of her studies and back on the big screen?

MORE: Is Harry Potter finally too big for the Oscars to ignore?

Beauty and the Beast, that's what. And not just any old retelling. A retelling helmed by Guillermo del Toro. So you know it's going to be dark and moody and make Disney's animated classic look like, well, a Disney film.

The producer of the flick, Denise Di Novi, let slip the casting new while making the press rounds for her other new film, Crazy, Stupid, Love, this weekend. Watson's rep, however, had no comment.

As this is the first word we're hearing on the film, details are naturally scarce with no word yet on a possible beastly leading man for Emma, a production timeline or a possible release date. However, it might be some time.

Del Toro's films tend to be heavy on post-production, and he's only now about to begin on the next project he's got lined up, Pacific Rim.

Which means that Watson's first post-Potter lead may also be her first post-grad one.

PHOTOS: Flick Picks—Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2

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