More than 15 years after the release of Disney's Oscar-winning Beauty and the Beast, the studio is giving its animated classic the live-action treatment and bringing all of the music and magic of the 1991 fairytale to life next year.
In the same vein as Cinderella and The Jungle Book before it, Beauty and the Beast promises to dazzle our sense by pairing '90s nostalgia with the technological filmmaking advances of today. From dancing dish ware to romantic waltzes across a gilded ballroom, the 2017 reimagining is already gearing up to be one of the biggest box office earners of the year.
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Ma cherie Mademoiselle (and Monsieurs), it is with deepest pride and greatest pleasure that I welcome you tonight. And now, I invite you to relax, let us pull up a chair as Movie Pilot proudly presents everything you need to know about Beauty and the Beast prior to its release.
'Beauty And The Beast' News & Rumors
For those who love to belt along with classics like "Be Our Guest" or "Beauty and the Beast" have no fear! Condon's reimagining of the film will include enough singing to please fans.
In an interview with Collider, Luke Evans (Gaston) confirmed that Disney recorded both live and studio versions, either of which could make it into the final cut, depending on which is better.
We pre-recorded every [song], but some of us sang live on set as well, during the takes. We were micd and they recorded that and I think afterward, in sound, theyll be able to choose whether the live version is better than the pre-recorded version. Well never know!
Despite calling singing "terrifying," I trust Watson is in great hands and will surprise us all with her beautiful singing voice.
'Beauty And The Beast' Trailer
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In addition to the teaser trailer, Disney also released a quick sneak peek that reveals even more of the characters, a look at the castle and some sound bites from a table read with Stevens and Watson.
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'Beauty And The Beast' Release Date
Writer and director Bill Condon's take on Beauty and the Beast will be released in U.S. theaters starting March 17, 2017.
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'Beauty And The Beast' Plot
As far as we can tell, the plot to this modern version will largely be similar to the original film. A smart, beautiful, but socially ostracized woman named Belle becomes the captive of the ferocious prince-turned-Beast. But after some time together, Belle comes to realize that the Beast isn't nearly as scary as she initially thought, and the two fall in love.
Meanwhile, back in her village, her father, Maurice, enlists the help of the handsome but brutish Gaston one of Belle's rebuffed suitors to rescue her from the Beast. Will Beast and Belle's love be enough to overcome these obstacles? Or will Gaston put an end to Beast and win Belle for himself? I think we already know the answer.
'Beauty And The Beast' Cast
Unsurprisingly, Beauty and the Beast features a star-studded cast. It includes a number of familiar franchise stars, Oscar and BAFTA nominees and winners, and even a hilarious comedic actor. The main cast for Beauty and the Beast has been included below.
Emma Watson as Belle: Emma Watson, best known for her role of Hermione Granger in the Harry Potter franchise and as a UN Women Goodwill Ambassador, is polishing up her singing voice to play the beautiful brainiac Belle.
Dan Stevens as Beast/Prince Adam: Dan Stevens' fame finally made its way overseas after he played the incredibly dashing and handsome Matthew Crawley in Downton Abbey. Now he'll be moving on and learning to use his charms to woo Belle.
Ewan McGregor as Lumiere: We already know that Scottish Star Wars actor Ewan McGregor has the pipes to light up the silver screen after seeing Moulin Rouge.
Ian McKellen as Cogsworth: Academy Award and BAFTA Award-nominated actor Sir Ian McKellen needs no introduction, but with impressive franchises including the Lord of the Rings saga and the X-Men series, it never hurts to mention them.
Emma Thompson as Mrs. Potts: Though it's hard to imagine anyone but Angela Lansbury voicing the maternal porcelain teapot Mrs. Potts, I'm positive Academy Award BAFTA Award-winning actress Emma Thompson will do a brilliant job.
Luke Evans as Gaston: Fresh off of the release of the thriller The Girl on the Train, Luke Evans is primed and ready to play the villainous Gaston. Only time will tell whether or not he can actually eat five dozen eggs like his character.
Josh Gad as Le Fou: Josh Gad first started making waves when he starred in The Book of Mormon on Broadway. But after playing Olaf in Disney's Frozen, Gad has solidified himself as comedic gold fit for Beauty and the Beast.
Kevin Kline as Maurice: Playing Belle's slightly eccentric but lovable father, Maurice, is Kevin Kline. With an Oscar for A Fish Called Wanda and two Tony Awards under his belt, taking on the role of the off kilter inventor will be a piece of cake.
Stanley Tucci as Cadenza: Stanley Tucci has proven time and time again to be a phenomenal actor in whatever role he is cast (I'm looking at you, The Lovely Bones). That's why I have no fear in seeing him play a new character, Cadenza.
Gugu Mbatha-Raw as Plumette: Plumette might not have been a massive character in the original animated version, but the feather duster might be getting more screentime after it was announced the up-and-coming Doctor Who and Larry Crowne, actress would be lending her voice to the part.
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'Beauty And The Beast' Characters
Belle: Despite being a beautiful young woman, Belle is an outsider in her small French village due to her eccentric inventor father, her love of books and fierce independence.
Beast: Formerly a handsome but spoiled prince, the prince was turned into a Beast after refusing to help a beggar woman who was really a powerful Enchantress in disguise. This curse means the Beast and his castle staff will be trapped in their inhuman form until he falls in love with a woman and earns her love in return.
Lumiere: One of Beast's right-hand men or, in this case, candlestick and matre d', Lumiere is one of the castle staff who is affected by the curse. He aids Beast in wooing Belle.
Cogsworth: Beast's other confidant, Cogsworth is a tightly wound Majordomo who takes the shape of a clock and the counterpart for the more rebellious Lumiere. He also helps Beast re-learn his manners and prove himself to Belle.
Mrs. Potts: Mrs. Potts is a teapot and the head of the castle kitchen staff. Potts's sweet, nurturing character helps Belle ease into a sense of comfort while held prisoner in this strange, magical world of talking monsters, dish ware and household appliances.
Gaston: The main antagonist of the film, the handsome but brutish Gaston is one of Belle's suitors prior to her capture. Though widely considered a hero by the townspeople, his narcissistic and chauvinistic personality leaves Belle rejecting his proposal.
Le Fou: Le Fou is Gaston's best friend and resident sycophant. His character largely serves as comic relief throughout the film.
Maurice: Belle's single father Maurice might be considered an embarrassment to the town, but it means little to Belle who continues to love him and stand by his side no matter what people say.
Cadenza: A new character added to the fairytale, Cadenza was described by Disney and Variety as "the grand piano and a neurotic maestro."
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'Beauty And The Beast'Posters
Only one poster for Beauty and the Beast has been released thus far, but it's gorgeous and absolutely perfect.
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Where To Watch 'Beauty And The Beast' Online
Considering the 2017 version of Beauty and the Beast hasn't even come out in theaters yet, you won't be able to find it online. (Nor do we encourage bootlegging or illegally streaming movies of any sort.)
If you want to watch the 1991 animated version, however, it is available as a rental through YouTube, iTunes, Amazon Video, Vudu and Google Play.
Live-Action Disney Movies: Complete List
Beauty and the Beast is Disney's next live-action film to hit theaters, but if the current slate is any indication, this trend shows no sign of slowing down.
The next Disney animated characters to become live-action wonders includes Mulan, Aladdin, The Lion King, The Little Mermaid, Cruella, Peter Pan, Tinker Bell, The Sword In The Stone, Pinocchio, Dumbo, Winnie The Pooh, Prince Charming, Genies, Chip n Dale, Maleficent 2, The Jungle Book 2, Mary Poppins Returns and Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.
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The live-action Beauty and the Beast will be released on March 17, 2017.
[Source: Variety, Collider]