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 films.
The next in line is no other than the live-action “Beauty and the Beast” which is due to hit theaters in March next year starring British star Emma Watson.
The movie is a romantic fantasy musical film directed by Bill Condon. It is a live-action remake of the 1991 animated film of the same title, which is an adaptation of Jeanne-Marie Leprince de Beaumont’s fairy tale.
In addition to Emma Watson, the film shall star Dan Stevens, Luke Evans, Kevin Kline, and Josh Gad, with the voices of Ewan McGregor, Stanley Tucci, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Audra McDonald, Ian McKellen, and Emma Thompson.
Critics believe that Emma Watson was able to assimilate the role of the Belle in “Beauty and the Beast” because of the character’s uncanny similarity with Hermione Granger, the character that the actress played in the “Harry Potter” film series featuring a total of eight movies.
They say that Hermione and Belle are extremely independent, strong, and smart women. But they also share one small thing in common – a rose.
It can be recalled that at the end of the “Harry Potter” film series, Hermione married Ron Weasley and they have a daughter named Rose, which happens to be the most important thing in “Beauty and the Beast.”
In order for Prince Adam, who has been transformed into an ugly beast after being cursed by an old woman, to turn back to his old self, he must make a woman fall in love with him before the last petal falls from the rose on his 21st birthday, details Pop Sugar.
Not as hairy as Gaston
British actor Luke Evans, who has been known for his work in a lot of fantasy movies including “The Hobbit” trilogy, says that he had a blast playing a different sort of villain as the ridiculously vain he-man Gaston in the live-action version of “Beauty and the Beast.”
In a recent interview, Evans said that the live-action “Beauty and the Beast” is extremely similar to the animated film saying that if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.
The upcoming movie shall have the same songs including the famous boastful showstopper song “Gaston.” Evans said that it is a huge production number and extremely brilliant too, details Moviefone.
He also said that his difference with Gaston is the fact that his chest in not as hairy as Gaston’s. He explained that he has a hairy chest alright but not as close to the villainous and vain he-man.
One other thing that shall fascinate fans about Luke Evans in the upcoming Disney movie is his singing prowess.
A music revelation
While he is not being looked at as a singer, Evans actually has a musical theater background. He recalled that he spent the early years of his career on stage in the West End doing musicals and plays.
He said that a lot of people don’t know that so it is going to be great because it will be quite a revelation when they finally see him sing.
Evans also has nothing but praises for the female lead character in the movie, Emma Watson. He says that the actress is very wonderful and is very committed to the role by putting so much into it.
“The Hobbit” actor said that Emma learned how to sing for the movie and he finds her very extraordinary because she really put her heart and soul into her Belle character in “Beauty and the Beast.”