New photos from the upcoming live-action Beauty and The Beast film hit the internet this morning, according to Comic Book Resources. The stills feature Emma Watson as Belle dancing with the Beast in the iconic ballroom scene, and in a library in her blue dress.
The photos reveal that Watson’s Belle looks almost exactly like Disney’s original character, in her costumes and her demeanor.
Staying True to the Original
Most notably, this is the first time fans get to see what the live-action version of the Beast looks like. So far, the response is positive.
The live adaptation of 1991’s animated Beauty and the Beast is taking very few risks with design. Everything released so far is pulled frame by frame from the original. Additionally, Alan Menken (Beauty and the Beast, Tangled, Aladdin) is currently working on the soundtrack. Menken is adding three tracks to his original score, created with late partner Howard Ashman. Ashman passed in the middle of production on the 1991 film, after working along with Menken on hits like The Little Mermaid, Aladdin, and Broadway’s Little Shop of Horrors.
The Beast’s design is no exception to this trend. The photo shows a realistic version of 1991’s animated character.
Emma Watson: From Hogwarts to French Fantasy
Another image shows Watson as Belle standing on a ladder, holding two books. She is dressed in the blue outfit from the beginning of the film, so it is unclear whether she is in the Beast’s library, or the library from her town.
Inevitably, fans will compare the bookworm character to Watson’s Hermione in the Harry Potter series. For now, however, we’ll just enjoy comparing the film to its animated original.
Based on Disney’s Academy Award-winning film of the same name, Beauty and the Beast is directed by Bill Condon and produced by David Hoberman and Todd Lieberman, with a screenplay by Stephen Chbosky, Bill Condon, and Evan Spiliotopoulos. Music for Beauty and the Beast is by Alan Menken with Tim Rice, based on the original score by Alan Menken and the late Howard Ashman.
Beauty and the Beast stars Emma Watson (Belle), Dan Stevens (Beast), Luke Evans (Gaston), Josh Gad (Lefou), and Kevin Kline (Maurice). The film also features Ewan McGregor (Lumiere) and Ian McKellan (Cogsworth), Stanley Tucci (Maestro Cadenza), Gugu Mbatha-Raw (Plumette), Audra McDonald (Madame Garderobe), and Emma Thompson (Mrs. Potts).
Beauty and the Beast is set to premiere March 27th, 2017.
