Emma Watson, who plays Belle in the upcoming live-action remake of Beauty and the Beast, has been talking a lot recently about how she encouraged studio bosses to tweak her character to make her a suitable role model for modern girls.

First, Belle was provided with an intelligent, fleshed-out backstory: as well as being a bookworm, in the new movie she’s also an inventor who spends her time building machines to help women spend less time on domestic chores. Next came the important task of dressing her in an un-corseted gown and comfortable shoes – because, you know, even Disney princesses need to be able to move.

But anyone fearing that the 2017 movie will diverge too much from the 1991 cartoon should be reassured by the first poster for the new film.

In a beautiful homage to the advert for the original movie, the new poster shows Belle wearing her iconic yellow ball gown as she dances with the Beast (played by Downton Abbey’s Dan Stevens).

Read more: There are 11 Disney live-action remakes in the pipeline

And as in the original print, the ultimate odd couple appear to be glowing in a soft, romantic beam of light.

Read more: Emma Watson: “I’m going to fight even harder for the things I believe in”

The just-released poster has also got us even more excited about the new movie’s brilliant casting, from Ewan McGregor playing French candelabra Lumière to Ian McKellen as Cogsworth the clock and Emma Thompson as Mrs Potts.

As well as all the old favourites, the new film will also boast some brand-new characters. The Devil Wears Prada’s Stanley Tucci will play Candenzo, a neurotic grand piano, while Hattie Morahan appears as evil fairy Agathe.

Bring on March 2017…

Main image: Rex Features