WhileBeauty and the Beastis shaping up to be one of the first box office blockbusters of 2017, with Disney even setting up immersiveopening night eventsin hundreds of theaters across the country, some may question the need to remake a movie as beloved and timeless as the original 1991 animated classic. Disney has released a new preview, where even directorBill Condonadmits that the original movie is perfect, although he does make a pretty good case of why this “tale as old as time” should be told again for a new generation. We also hear from starsEmma WatsonandDan Stevens, who recount their personal history with the original film.
This preview, which debuted on theDisneyYouTube, features directorBill Condonrevealing that he wanted to remakeBeauty and the Beastto tell this story in a “live-action, fully photo-real version,” and to re-distinguish Belle as a 21st Century heroine.Emma Watsonreveals in this preview that she has loved the original movie since she was 4 years old, withDan Stevensclaiming that he has seen the movie thousands of times, now that he has children of his own. We also hear fromJosh Gad, who reveals that the entire cast and crew knew they had to live up to the high standard of the original animated classic.
The preview also includes behind-the-scenes footage with composerAlan Menken, whileEwan McGregor(Lumiere),Gugu Mbatha-Raw(Plumette),Ian McKellen(Cogsworth) discuss this immense and talented cast. We also hear fromLuke Evans(Gaston), who adds that the music is very special in this film. This preview also includes bits and pieces of new footage, including more from the pub scene with Gaston’s iconic song, which we first saw a glimpse of earlier this week with a new clip thatLuke Evansdebuted onGood Morning America.
The story and characters audiences know and love come to spectacular life in the live-action adaptation of Disney’s animated classicBeauty and the Beast, a stunning,cinematic eventcelebrating one of the most beloved tales ever told. “Beauty and the Beast” is the fantastic journey of Belle, a bright, beautiful and independent young woman who is taken prisoner by a Beast in his castle. Despite her fears, she befriends the castle’s enchanted staff and learns to look beyond the Beast’s hideous exterior and realize the kind heart of the true Prince within.
The film starsEmma Watsonas Belle,Dan Stevensas the Beast,Luke Evansas Gaston, the handsome, but shallow villager who woos Belle,Kevin Klineas Maurice, Belle’s father,Josh Gadas LeFou, Gaston’s long-suffering aide-de-camp,Ewan McGregoras Lumière, the candelabra,Stanley Tuccias Maestro Cadenza, the harpsichord,Audra McDonaldas Madame de Garderobe, the wardrobe,Gugu Mbatha-Rawas Plumette, the feather duster,Hattie Morahanas the enchantress andNathan Mackas Chip, the teacup. The cast is rounded out by Ian McKellen as Cogsworth, the mantel clock and Emma Thompson as the teapot, Mrs. Potts.
Directed byBill Condonbased on the 1991 animated filmBeauty and the Beast, the screenplay is written byStephen ChboskyandEvan Spiliotopoulosand produced by Mandeville Films’David Hoberman, p.g.a. andTodd Lieberman, p.g.a. withJeffrey Silver,Thomas SchumacherandDon Hahnserving as executive producers. Eight-time Oscar-winning composerAlan Menken, who won two Academy Awards (Best Original Score and Best Song) for the 1991 animated film, is returning to score the movie.Beauty and the Beastwill also feature new recordings of the original songs written byMenkenandHoward Ashman, as well as several new songs written byMenkenand three-time Oscar winnerTim Rice. Take a look at this new preview fromBeauty and the Beastbelow.
