Belle and the gang big screen retelling starring Emma Watson set for March17, 2017 release.
This past weekend’s huge live-action Cinderella box office opening has paved the way for Walt Disney Motion Pictures to announce their plans to release Beauty and the Beast in 3-D on March 17, 2017. The 3-D live action and CG “retelling” of the classic story will star Emma Watson and Dan Stevens as Belle and the Beast/Prince respectively, with Luke Evans playing Gaston. Emma Thompson has joined the cast as Mrs. Potts and Kevin Kline as Belle's father, Maurice.
Eight-time Oscar-winner Alan Menken, who won two Academy Awards for the Disney’s 1991 animated classic, will score the film, which will feature new recordings of the original songs in addition to several new songs written by Menken and Sir Tim Rice. Bill Condon is set to direct from a script by Stephen Chbosky. The film will be produced by Mandeville Films' David Hoberman and Todd Lieberman. Production begins in May at Shepperton Studios in London.
Source: Walt Disney Motion Pictures.
Dan Sarto is Publisher and Editor-in-Chief of Animation World Network.
