'Beauty and the Beast': Disney's Upcoming Live Action Movie to Feature Star-Studded Cast, to Be Released in 2017
Classic Disney animated movies are getting live action remakes, and though many initially had their doubts, Disney's live action "Cinderella," which opened this week to $68 million in the U.S. alone, made fans look forward to more fairy tale retellings in the future.
Recently, the company announced that a live action remake of "Beauty and the Beast" is in the works. Disney first announced that Emma Watson will be starring as Belle, and the "Harry Potter" star took to Facebook to announce the casting news, writing, "[Beauty and the Beast] was such a big part of my growing up, it almost feels surreal that I'll get to dance to 'Be Our Guest' and sing 'Something There.'"
"My six year old self is on the ceiling—heart bursting. Time to start some singing lessons. I can't wait for you to see it," she continued.
Get Our Latest News for FREE
The film, which will be shown in 3D, will also star "Downton Abbey" actor Dan Stevens as the Beast/Prince, and Luke Evans as Gaston.
"Frozen" star Josh Gad has also signed onto the highly anticipated film. According to The Hollywood Reporter, he will be playing LeFou, Gaston's "buffoonish and loyal sidekick." Gad also announced the news himself on Twitter, posting a split picture of himself posing in the exact way as the animated version he will soon be playing.
This week, it has been confirmed that Emma Thompson has joined the cast as Mrs. Potts, and Kevin Kline has also been cast as Belle's father, Maurice.
Alan Menken, who won two Academy Awards in 1991 for the animated classic version, will score the live action reboot. According to the press release, the movie will feature "new recordings of the original songs" in addition to new music written by Menken and Sir Tim Rice.
"Beauty and the Beast" is slated to premiere on March 17, 2017.
