Emma Watson is "perfect" for 'Beauty and the Beast'

Guillermo Del Toro has said that Harry Potter star Emma Watson will be "perfect" as the female lead in his adaptation of Beauty and the Beast.

Last month, it was confirmed that Watson had been cast in the future project, and Del Toro revealed that he can't wait to begin work on the film.

"It's one of those landmarks, one of those holy grails, and I really hope to do it. We're just starting the process," he told MTV News.

The director is currently working on alien sci-fi epic Pacific Rim, but has already begun on a first draft for Beauty and the Beast.

"It's a move that you have to make in the next few years for Emma to be perfect for the part," Del Toro added. "I think she is the perfect character to do that movie."

He also confirmed that unlike this year's Beastly, his adaptation of the classic fairy tale will retain its period setting.

Watson recently wrapped filming on The Perks of Being a Wallflower opposite Logan Lerman, Nina Dobrev and Paul Rudd.

Watch Emma Watson in the trailer for Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 below: