The first pictures of Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast” live-action film are now out and it showed how British actress Emma Stone looks stunning wearing Belle’s iconic yellow gown.
The same pictures also feature the princely Beast, played by Dan Stevens. While Belle’s yellow gown is an exact replica of its animated predecessor, costume designer Jacqueline Durran put an updated spin on Belle’s famous looks, reports the Entertainment Tonight.
Reports have it that costumes are not the only thing getting an update in “Beauty and the Beast” live-action because Emma Watson gives it a feminist twist through Belle’s backstory.
According to the Daily Mail of UK, Emma Watson looks very enthralling as Belle even if she refuses to wear a restrictive corset.
Watson looked every inch a beautiful Belle in the pictures officially released by Disney Pictures and stood her ground as she refused to wear anything to keep her trim.
She was seen in one of the pictures spinning around in a grand ballroom with marble floors, pillars, and magnificent chandeliers. Emma is seen wearing her brunette hair in a loose half ponytail, replicating Belle’s style perfectly.
Another picture sees Emma dressed in an old-fashioned blue and white pinafore, her hair in a large braid. Standing alongside the Beast, the duo appears to be in deep conversation as they stand in an imposing library.
And the two other pictures see Belle cleaning a grand house, and speaking to her father, played by Kevin Kline.
Feminist views reflected on Belle
Emma’s commendable feminist views are also reflected in her role as Belle. In an interview, she said that in the animated movie, it’s her father who is the inventor, and fans actually co-opted that for Belle.
There was never very much information or detail at the beginning of the story as to why Belle didn’t fit in, other than she liked books.
The producers then created a backstory for Belle, which went on to explain that she had invented a kind of washing machine, so that, instead of doing laundry, she could sit and use that time to read instead.
Jacqueline Durran, the costume designer for the movie, revealed recently the actress refused to wear a corset under her dress.
She said that in Emma’s reinterpretation, Belle is an active princess. She did not want a dress that was corseted or that would impede her in any way.
Emma also said that she has always been a huge fan of the original movie, which came out in 1991 when she was just a year old.
The perfect pair
Critics say that there is no doubt that Emma and Dan are the perfect pair to play Beauty and her Beast. Another sneak peek which came out in September showed the duo reciting their lines during a table read.
Other stars appearing in the movie include Emma Thompson as Mrs. Potts, Ian McKellen as Cogsworth, and Gugu Mbatha-Raw as Plumette, while Luke Evans is playing Gaston.
“Beauty and the Beast is scheduled for release in global theaters on March 17, 2017, and is the latest of Disney’s live-action offerings. It comes after the huge success of ‘Alice in Wonderland,” “Maleficent,” “Cinderella,” and “The Jungle Book.”
Directed by Bill Condon, the live-action adaption of Disney’s 1991 animated classic, features an ensemble cast which includes, Luke Evans, Kevin Kline, Josh Gad, Ewan McGregor, Stanley Tucci, Gugu Mbathap-Raw, Ian McKellen, Emma Thompson, and Broadway star Audra McDonald.
After the successful showing of live-action “Cinderella” last year and “Alice in Wonderland” and “Maleficent’ before that, it seems that Disney Pictures is intent on bringing all its popular princesses to live action.