When Disney first announced that “Beauty and the Beast” would be turned into a live-action film, we were over the moon because the animated feature film is, after all, a “tale as old as time”. Not to mention, the movie will feature a star-studded cast, including Emma Watson and Dan Stevens.
After announcing that Sir Ian McKellen is going to portray butler-turned-clock Cogsworth, the studio announced that Ewan McGregor and Stanley Tucci will join the all-star lineup to portray Lumière and Cadenza respectively.
Based on a French fairy tale, “Beauty and the Beast” centres on Belle, 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.
McGregor’s Lumière is a supporting character voiced by Jerry Orbach in the original animated feature film. He is the kind servant to the Beast/Prince and the best friend of Cogsworth. Lumière and Cogsworth turned into a candelabra and a clock respectively during the time of the curse placed by the Enchantress.
McGregor isn’t the first actor to portray a live-action version of Lumière as Henri Lubatti appeared in the 15th episode of ABC’s “Once Upon a Time” Season 3 to portray the character as well. It certainly won’t be the first time for McGregor to sing for a role as he has sung onscreen before, most notably in 2001’s “Moulin Rouge”.
As for Tucci, he will be playing Cadenza the grand piano. According to Variety, it is “a new character to the realm who is described as a neurotic maestro.”
“Harry Potter” star Emma Watson will be singing for the first time as Belle while Dan Stevens will play the Beast/Prince. “Dracula Untold” star Luke Evans will play Gaston, the main antagonist of the film. It was also announced multiple award-winning star Emma Thompson is joining the cast as Mrs. Pott, the head housekeeper who turned into a teapot. Belle’s father, Maurice will be portrayed by Oscar-winning actor Kevin Kline.
“Frozen” star Josh Gad was reportedly going to play Gatson’s loyal sidekick Lefou while Audra McDonald will play Garderobe. Gad recently got together with the cast for a quick “wefie”, which can be seen on his official Instagram account.
The beloved tale will be retold for the big screen with a modern live-action lens and the help of transformative CG magic.
Bill Condon (of “The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn” fame) will direct the film while Stephen Chbosky will pen the script based on the draft written by Evan Spiliotopoulos. 8-time Oscar-winner Alan Menken, who won 2 Academy Awards for the 1991 animated classic, is set to score the film. It will also feature new recordings of the original songs in addition to several new songs written by Menken and Sir Tim Rice.
“Beauty and the Beast” is slated for release in 3D on 17th March 2017 and the production will begin this May at Shepperton Studios in London.
McGregor will be seen next in an indie film called “Last Days in the Desert”. He is also starring opposite Natalie Portman in “Jane Got a Gun”.
