Emma Watson could be shedding her geeky Harry Potter alter-ego Hermione Granger, with a potential upcoming role in a Beauty And The Beast remake.

The Harry Potter star is said to be in "the final stages of talks" to lead the cast in Guillermo Del Toro's contemporary take on the classic fairytale, reported Variety.

She would play Belle, a girl who is entrapped in the palace of a hideous creature - a former prince turned into a monster by a curse, in the new version, which has been written by Andrew Davies.

No casting details about the actor who would play the role of the Beast has been announced yet.

Guillermo will also produce alongside Denise DiNovi, as well as sit in the director's chair.

Beauty And The Beast is scheduled to be released in 2014.

Emma - who was last seen in My Week With Marilyn - is set to take on her first post-Hermione lead role in David Yates' upcoming drama, Your Voice In My Head.