Emma Watson, like most girls of her generation, loved Disney’s Beauty and the Beast growing up. The original was released in 1991, but this hasn’t stopped a new generation of Disney fans from watching (and re-watching) the classic. Furthermore, Emma Watson was quoted in EW, saying:
“I can’t even think how many times I watched it as a child,” says the former Harry Potter star. “I knew all the words by heart. Knew all the songs by heart.”
While the animated movie was popular and well-loved, it did get nominated for an Oscar but ultimately lost the Best Picture Award to Silence of the Lambs. Now, it’s set for a live-action remake that’s going to be released on March 17, 2017. We’re pretty sure that fans are already counting down the days!
Director Bill Condon is at the helm of the movie based on Stephen Chbosky’s script. The new Disney movie is produced by Mandeville Films’ David Hoberman and Todd Lieberman. If you’re excited for the songs included in the production, rest assured that eight-time Oscar winner Alan Menken wrote the songs for the production, along with Sir Tim Rice. Notably, Alan Menken also won an Academy Award for the 1991 Disney classic.
Beauty and the Beast fans are both excited and nervous to see if the Disney live-action remake will measure up. In case you didn’t know, there was a French version of Beauty and the Beast entitled La belle et la bête, which was released last 2014. It starred Léa Seydoux and Vincent Cassel as the titular characters. It received rave reviews and grossed millions worldwide. Seeing as the original fairy tale, it was based on was written by a French novelist; fans are excited to see if the American remake can be as good as (or even better than) the French version.
Side by side, the Disney version looks darker as compared to the French version. However, the French version itself is definitely darker and more geared towards an adult audience. In the French version, Léa Seydoux’s character says:
Beast: “If you’d let me, I’d fulfill all your desires.”
Belle: “A beast, fulfill a woman like me?”
As can be seen from photos and the trailer, Disney’s version of Belle is an innocent young woman, which is true to the animated film’s version.
In any case, here’s a look at the newly-released photos from Disney/EW:
Beauty and the Beast (2017)
Emma Watson stars as Belle and Kevin Kline is Maurice, Belle’s father.
Beauty and the Beast (2017)
Belle (Emma Watson) in the Ballroom of the Beast’s castle.
Beauty and the Beast (2017)
L-R: Josh Gad as Le Fou and Luke Evans as Gaston.
Beauty and the Beast (2017)
Gaston (Luke Evans), a handsome but arrogant brute, holds court in the village tavern
Beauty and the Beast (2017)
The mantel clock Cogsworth, the teapot Mrs. Potts, Lumiere the candelabra, and the feather duster Plumette
Beauty and the Beast (2017)
Emma Watson and TK
So what do you think? Will the Disney remake measure up to the French version? Or is the Disney version a different beast altogether? Share your insights on the comments section down below! In any case, here at Monday Monday Network, we’re all excited for the Disney remake!
ALL Image credits: Entertainment Weekly and Disney
Beauty and the Beast (2017)
Beauty and the Beast (2017)
Beauty and the Beast (2017)
Beauty and the Beast (2017)
Beauty and the Beast (2017)
Beauty and the Beast (2017)
