Beauty and the Beast

Bill Condon to Direct Live-Action ‘Beauty and the Beast’ Film for Disney (EXCLUSIVE)

With the recent release of “Maleficent,” which grossed more than $170 million worldwide in its opening weekend, Disney is working fast on its next live-action fairy-tale adaptation.

Bill Condon is set to direct a live-action version of “Beauty and the Beast” for Disney.

Evan Spiliotopoulos is writing the script with Mandeville Films producing.

The studio’s 1991 animated feature version of “Beauty and the Beast” grossed more than $375 million worldwide, spawned a Broadway play and became one of the few animated pics to receive a best picture Oscar nomination.

Disney has been on a roll lately thanks to successful updates of literary classics like “Alice and Wonderland” and “The Wizard of Oz” and reinventions of its own stories into big box office hits. The Mouse House is also developing a live-action version of “The Jungle Book,” which has Jon Favreau directing, and its “Cinderella,” helmed by Kenneth Branagh, is set to bow next March.

Condon is best known for his hit feature adaptation of the musical “Dreamgirls,” and his experience in helming a film with strong musical elements will help this film, which could very easily go down that path. Condon also penned the script to the widely successful adaptation of musical “Chicago.”

He also delivered two of the best reviewed films in the “Twilight” series and most recently adapted the script to Fox’s “The Greatest Showman on Earth.” Condon is repped by WME, Anonymous Content and Alexander, Lawrence, Frumes & Labowitz.

Source: Variety

I wonder if - especially given Chicago and Dreamgirls - they'll just film a version of the stage show...

Why not? Then they could work on through Mary Poppins and Aladdin (maybe not Lion King, or maybe). Popular, "remake" without remaking.. win/win.

B&B was near the top of my guess list, but I wonder if it'll be a "new" B&B, a live version of the Disney film (with or without music), or a Gaston re-evaluation... And can they get it out by 2016 for the 25th Anniversary?!



The live Jungle Book is coming too, I read.

Emma Watson to Star in Disney’s ‘Beauty and the Beast’ (Exclusive)

Director Bill Condon has cast the “Harry Potter” actress as Belle in the live-action adaptation

“Harry Potter” alum Emma Watson has closed a deal to star in Disney’s live-action musical “Beauty and the Beast,” TheWrap has learned.

Bill Condon (“The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn”) will direct from a script written by Stephen Chbosky, who directed Watson in “The Perks of Being a Wallflower.” Evan Spiliotopoulos wrote the previous draft of the screenplay.

David Hoberman and Todd Lieberman are producing under their Mandeville Films banner.

Watson is set to play Belle in “Beauty and the Beast,” which is the latest Disney classic to receive a live-action adaptation following “Maleficent,” “Cinderella” and Jon Favreau‘s upcoming take on “The Jungle Book.”

Watson had previously been attached to star in Guillermo del Toro’s “Beauty,” which the director was developing for Warner Bros. before exiting the project in June, when Disney hired Condon. When WB’s version hit a snag, Disney began to court Watson for its own adaptation with del Toro’s blessing, as the studio agreed that Watson would be perfect as Belle, according to a source.

Watson shared her excitement on Facebook as soon as TheWrap broke the news. “I’m finally able to tell you … that I will be playing Belle in Disney’s new live-action ‘Beauty and the Beast’! It 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. Emma xx.”

Disney’s 1991 animated feature “Beauty and the Beast” grossed more than $375 million worldwide and earned a rare Oscar nomination for Best Picture. The timeless tale also spawned a Broadway play.

Source: The Wrap

Luke Evans to Play Gaston in Disney’s ‘Beauty and the Beast’ (EXCLUSIVE)

Luke Evans is in negotiations to play the villainous Gaston in Disney’s live-action retelling of “Beauty and the Beast,” which stars “Harry Potter” actress Emma Watson as Belle and “Downton Abbey” alum Dan Stevens as the Beast.

Bill Condon is directing, with David Hoberman and Todd Lieberman of Mandeville Films producing. The script was written by Evan Spiliotopoulos and rewritten by Steve Chbosky.

Production will begin later this year. No release date has been set.

In the original tale, Gaston was the handsome antagonist who tried to win Belle’s heart and, after losing it to the beast, led a group of townspeople on a hunt to kill the creature.

The studio’s 1991 animated feature version of “Beauty and the Beast” grossed more than $375 million worldwide, spawned a Broadway play and became one of the few animated pics to receive a best picture Oscar nomination.

Disney has several reboots of classic tales on the horizon, with “Cinderella,” starring Lily James, opening next Friday. Also in the works are 3-D retellings of “The Jungle Book” and “Pete’s Dragon.”

Evans, a busy actor in the fantasy realm of late, was last seen in New Line’s “The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies.” He also starred in Universal’s “Dracula Untold” after playing the villain in “Fast and Furious 6.”

The Welsh actor can be seen next in Ben Wheatley’s “High Rise.” He is also currently shooting “Message From the King” alongside Chadwick Boseman, to be followed up with a starring role in another Wheatley film, “Free Fire.”

Evans is repped by United Agents and WME.

The Hollywood Reporter first broke the news of Stevens’ casting.

Source: Variety

Disney's 'Beauty and the Beast' Casting Dan Stevens as the Beast (Exclusive)

Dan Stevens, the breakout actor of Downton Abbey and last year's cult action movie The Guest, is in negotiations to play the Beast/Prince in Disney's live-action retelling of Beauty and the Beast, The Hollywood Reporter has learned.

Stevens will join Emma Watson, who is playing Belle, the "Beauty" in the title, while Luke Evans is in talks to play the vain villain Gaston.

Bill Condon is directing what is turning out so far to be an all-British cast production while David Hoberman and Todd Lieberman are producing.

Beauty continues Disney's plan of taking some of its animated classics and brushing them up for a 21st century live-action makeover. Cinderella, which also features mostly British leads, is the latest — it opens March 13 — and it's generating great reviews.

Last year's Maleficent was a live-action take on Sleeping Beauty and made $758.4 million worldwide.

Beauty, a French fairy tale, tells of a young woman who takes her father's place as a prisoner in a monstrous being's castle, only to fall in love with the creature, who turns out to be a prince.

While the studio has not confirmed if the retelling is a musical, when Watson was cast in January, she implied it was in a Facebook post: "It 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.' ... Time to start some singing lessons."

The highly sought-after role will be a big get for Stevens, who last starred in The Guest, Adam Wingard's action thriller, and has been working in supporting roles in such movies as Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb and A Walk Among the Tombstones.

He is repped by WME, Julian Belfrage Associates, and Peikoff Mahan.

Source: The Hollywood Reporter

Josh Gad to Play LeFou in Live-Action ‘Beauty and the Beast’

Disney’s upcoming live-action “Beauty and the Beast” film has found its LeFou in actor Josh Gad.

Gad, who was the voice of snowman Olaf in the animated Disney hit “Frozen,” is in final talks to join the project that already stars Emma Watson as Belle, Dan Stevens as the Beast/Prince and Luke Evans as the menacing Gaston.

LeFou is Gaston’s bumbling sidekick who looks up to his partner and remains loyal despite frequent abuse. Gad has experience in the sidekick role from playing Elder Cunningham in the Broadway musical “Book of Mormon.” He also stars opposite Billy Crystal in the new FX comedy “The Comedians.”

Bill Condon is directing “Beauty and the Beast,” with David Hoberman and Todd Lieberman of Mandeville Films producing. The script was written by Evan Spiliotopoulos and rewritten by Steve Chbosky.

No release date has been set for the film. Production will begin later this year.

Source: Variety

Breaking (and Magical) Beauty and the Beast News Will Make Your Monday

THIS IS NOT A DRILL: The new live-action Beauty and the Beast has a release date: March 17, 2017! The beloved tale will be retold for the big screen with a modern live-action lens (and the help of transformative CG magic). Emma Watson has been previously announced as Belle, and now we can finally confirm that and Dan Stevens will plat the Beast/Prince, Luke Evans will play the role of Gaston, and Emma Thompson has joined the cast as Mrs. Potts!

The latest casting news? Kevin Kline will play Belle’s father, Maurice.

As if the casting and release date didn’t make us happy enough, eight-time Oscar-winner Alan Menken (who won two Academy Awards for the 1991 animated classic) will score the film!!

We literally screamed with joy upon learning this. IT’S SO PERFECT. The film will feature new recordings of the original songs in addition to several new songs written by Menken and Sir Tim Rice. Bill Condon will direct from a script by Stephen Chbosky.

Source: Oh My Disney

So excited to see Josh Gad play Lefou! He'll pull off that character great. He practically IS Lefou! Short, black hair, and a great comedian. Although I'm not a big fan of Disney Live Action films, I think the cast for this film will be great!

AND Alan Menken is doing the music!? This movie is going to be great!

Ian McKellen to Play Cogsworth in Disney’s ‘Beauty and the Beast’ (EXCLUSIVE)

After portraying a wizard and a mutant in two lucrative franchises, Ian McKellen’s next role will be a piece of furniture. The British thesp is set to play Cogsworth in Disney’s live-action retelling of “Beauty and the Beast,” starring Emma Watson, Variety can exclusively reveal.

Dan Stevens, Luke Evans, Josh Gad and Emma Thompson also star. Bill Condon is directing from a script written by Evan Spiliotopoulos and rewritten by Stephen Chbosky. David Hoberman and Todd Lieberman of Mandeville Films are producing.

Production will begin later this year for a Mar. 17, 2017 release.

In the original Disney movie, Cogsworth was the Beast’s loyal butler, who was transformed into a clock by a curse that overtook the castle.

The studio’s 1991 animated feature version of “Beauty and the Beast” grossed more than $375 million worldwide, spawned a Broadway play and became one of the few animated films to receive a best picture Oscar nomination.

Disney has several live-action reboots of classic tales on the horizon, including “Mulan,” “Winnie the Pooh,” “Dumbo,” “Pinocchio,” “The Jungle Book” and “Pete’s Dragon.”

McKellen recently reprised his role of Gandalf in “The Hobbit: the Battle of the Five Armies” and can be seen next in Condon’s “Mr. Holmes,” hitting theaters on July 17. He is repped by CAA and Independent Talent Group.

Source: Variety

Ian McKellen to Play Cogsworth in Disney’s ‘Beauty and the Beast’ (EXCLUSIVE)

After portraying a wizard and a mutant in two lucrative franchises, Ian McKellen’s next role will be a piece of furniture. The British thesp is set to play Cogsworth in Disney’s live-action retelling of “Beauty and the Beast,” starring Emma Watson, Variety can exclusively reveal.

Dan Stevens, Luke Evans, Josh Gad and Emma Thompson also star. Bill Condon is directing from a script written by Evan Spiliotopoulos and rewritten by Stephen Chbosky. David Hoberman and Todd Lieberman of Mandeville Films are producing.

Production will begin later this year for a Mar. 17, 2017 release.

In the original Disney movie, Cogsworth was the Beast’s loyal butler, who was transformed into a clock by a curse that overtook the castle.

The studio’s 1991 animated feature version of “Beauty and the Beast” grossed more than $375 million worldwide, spawned a Broadway play and became one of the few animated films to receive a best picture Oscar nomination.

Disney has several live-action reboots of classic tales on the horizon, including “Mulan,” “Winnie the Pooh,” “Dumbo,” “Pinocchio,” “The Jungle Book” and “Pete’s Dragon.”

McKellen recently reprised his role of Gandalf in “The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies” and can be seen next in Condon’s “Mr. Holmes,” hitting theaters on July 17. He is repped by CAA and Independent Talent Group.

Source: Variety

‘Beyond the Lights’ Star Gugu Mbatha-Raw Joins ‘Beauty and the Beast’ (EXCLUSIVE)

“Beyond the Lights” star Gugu Mbatha-Raw has been tapped to play the feather duster Plumette in Disney’s live-action adaptation of “Beauty and the Beast” starring Emma Watson and Dan Stevens.

Luke Evans (Gaston), Josh Gadd (LeFou), Ian McKellen (Cogsworth), and Emma Thompson (Mrs. Potts) also star. Bill Condon is directing from a script written by Evan Spiliotopoulos and rewritten by Stephen Chbosky. David Hoberman and Todd Lieberman of Mandeville Films are producing. Mbatha-Raw’s character has gone through several iterations in the Disney canon, with the flirty feather duster previously called both Babette and Fifi in other versions of the story.

Production will begin this year for a March 17, 2017, release.

The studio’s 1991 animated feature “Beauty and the Beast” grossed more than $375 million worldwide, spawning a Broadway play and becoming the first animated film to score an Oscar nomination for best picture.

Disney has several live-action reboots of classic tales on the horizon, including “Mulan,” “Winnie the Pooh,” “Dumbo,” “Pinocchio” and “The Jungle Book.”

Mbatha-Raw was most recently seen in “Jupiter Ascending” and is currently filming “Free State of Jones” opposite Matthew McConaughey. She is repped by CAA, Curtis Brown Group and Authentic.

Source: Variety

Josh Gad Instagrams from Beauty and the Beast Set, Is Our Fairy Godfather

Josh Gad is truly magical and somehow gave us exactly what we wanted over Independence Day weekend: A peek into the goings-on at the set of the upcoming live-action Beauty and the Beast! Check out the below series of chairs for his character LeFou, Gaston (Luke Evans), and Belle (Emma Watson) and then try to tell us your heart didn’t skip a beat upon viewing. We can almost see the magic unfolding. WE CAN ALMOST SEE IT. Are they filming in the little town, quiet village? Or perhaps they shot Gaston’s doomed proposal?? Our minds are simply abuzz with the possibilities.

Josh Gad (joshgad on Instagram) - One Beauty, Two Beasts. #BATB @thereallukevans @emmawatson



His caption could not be sweeter. Josh Gad, please be our friend. (Also Emma Watson and Luke Evans, if you have any friendship vacancies to fill, we’re available.)

Source: Oh My Disney

There's something sweet about these two. Don't miss Gaston and LeFou's finest moments by following Disney and DisneyStudio on Snapchat to go behind the scenes of live-action Beauty and the Beast.