'Beauty and the Beast' News: Emma Thompson and Kevin Kline Join Cast, 2017 Release Date Revealed
Emma Thompson and Kevin Kline have been cast in the live action Disney film "Beauty and the Beast," which will premiere in theaters in the first quarter of 2017.
Disney has announced a March 17, 2017 3D release date for its live action film, "Beauty and the Beast," and has added Emma Thompson and Kevin Kline to its cast of characters.
Academy Award winner Thompson, who previously worked with the lead actress, Emma Watson in the "Harry Potter" movies will play opposite Watson's Belle as Mrs. Potts, the housekeeper-turned-teapot voiced by Angela Lansbury in the 1991 Disney animated version.
Get Our Latest News for FREE
Kline, also an Oscar winner, will be playing Belle's inventor father, Maurice. Kline has won two Tony Awards for his musical stints in Broadway, and will be showcasing his singing in the film.
Gaston's faithful and bumbling sidekick has also been cast. Josh Gad, who voiced the sun-loving snowman, Olaf in "Frozen," will be playing Lefou to Luke Evans' vain Gaston.
"Beauty and the Beast," unlike this year's live action film, "Cinderella," will be featuring the original songs sung in the animated version, to be performed by the cast, which includes "Downton Abbey's" Dan Stevens as the Beast.
Disney has yet to announce the casting for the Beast's household retinue, including Chip, Lumiere and Fifi. With production on the film to commence in London in May, news of the actors to play the remaining roles may emerge in the next few weeks.
The film will be directed by "The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn's" Bill Condom under Mandeville Films' production. Allan Menken, who scored the original and won two Academy Awards for it, will also provide the score for the live action movie.
Following the live action versions of "Cinderella" and "Beauty and the Beast," Disney has plans for "The Jungle Book" and an "Alice in Wonderland" sequel as encores.
