Update, 4/15: The first look at Disney's next live-action film is officially here, in the form of an Instagram of course. Josh Gad, who will star as Beauty and The Beast's Le Fou, shared the first cast photo including Emma Watson (Belle), Dan Stevens (The Beast), Luke Evans (Gaston) and Kevin Kline (Maurice). Although the remake isn't expected to hit theaters until March 2017, it looks like filming is now underway.
Update, 3/16: Disney has announced an official release date for the live-action Beauty and the Beast starring Emma Watson and Dan Stevens. The new remake is set to debut in theaters on March 17, 2017. Two new castings were also announced along with the release date, Emma Thompson will be playing Mrs. Potts while Kevin Kline has secured the role of Maurice.
Update, 3/5: British actor and former Downton Abbey star Dan Stevens has officially been cast to star in Disney's upcoming live-action remake of Beauty and the Beast. Stevens will play the Beast, starring opposite Emma Watson who is set to play Disney princess, Belle.
Original Post, 1/26: She's played a witch (the Harry Potter series), a biblical figure (Noah) and a thieving spoiled brat (The Bling Ring), but now, Emma Watson is set to take on arguably her most high-pressure role to date—bringing a Disney Princess to life. The actress has been cast as Belle in Beauty and the Beast, the latest Disney fairytale to get the live-action treatment (Cinderella, starring Downton Abbey's Lily James, hits theaters March 13). Watson is the first to be cast in the film, helmed by director Bill Condon (Dreamgirls, The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn). The actress took to Facebook to make the announcement, expressing her "heart-bursting" excitement. Read it in full below.
Julie Kosin is the senior culture editor of ELLE.com, where she oversees all things movies, TV, books, music, and art, from trawling Netflix for a worthy binge to endorsing your next book club pick. She's the former director of audience strategy and entertainment at HarpersBAZAAR.com. When not glued to her laptop, she can be found taking pictures of her dog or haunting used bookstores.
