WATCH: Five new special features clips from the 'Beauty and the Beast' 25th anniversary release

With the 25th anniversary release of Beauty and the Beast upon us, Disney has released five sneak peeks at the new special features included with the Digital HD and Blu-ray releases. Beauty and the Beast will be available September 6th on Digital HD & Disney Movies Anywhere and September 20th on Blu-ray & DVD. Find out more about the special features and store exclusive editions here.

Beauty and the Beast Live-Action Sneak Peek

Director Bill Condon: "I was so excited to hear that Disney was thinking about doing a live-action version of Beauty and the Beast. When something is so perfect, why get near it? The answer is technology has caught up to the ideas that were introduced in that movie."

Menken & Friends: 25 Years of Musical Inspiration

Perhaps no film of its era had a larger impact on animated movies than Beauty did. That film — along with its 1989 predecessor The Little ­Mermaid — resurrected Disney animation, introduced the “princess movie” to a new generation, and revived the musical as an art form. In fact, if it hadn’t been for Beauty, there might never have been a Frozen or a Hamilton. “So many musicals have tried to chase that formula — the sidekicks, the bad guys,” Hamilton creator Lin-Manuel Miranda says. “But Beauty and the Beast did it at its pinnacle. It’s the best it’s ever been done.”

Always Belle

Paige O'Hara: "Other than my voice, I think that I brought a sense of humor, certainly physically. The quirky, funny faces and stuff I would make.

#1074: Walt, Fairy Tales & Beauty and the Beast

And while Nielsen’s image of Belle bandaging the Beast didn’t directly inspire the similar moment in the 1991 movie, Hahn says that both the painting and the sequence in the film speak to what’s so powerful about this particular turning point: “It’s the image of two people at opposite sides of the spectrum finally coming to the singular moment where their lives are going to be changed by each other, and they didn’t see it coming.”

Hahn promises the sequence will be just as memorable in Bill Condon’s upcoming live-action adaptation of Beauty and the Beast, which stars Emma Watson and Dan Stevens and will hit theaters on March 17, 2017. “I didn’t talk to Bill about Nielsen’s piece, but the moment in the film is exquisite. Bill crafted something that’s wonderfully caring, romantic and beautiful at the same time,” said Hahn. “It’s the kind of moment that filmmakers dream of, and it inspired Kay Nielsen, us, and now Bill.”

Source: Entertainment Weekly, Yahoo! Movies, Disney Movies Anywhere, Broadway World

'Beauty and the Beast' Producer Don Hahn: "Bill crafted something that’s wonderfully caring, romantic and beautiful at the same time"

Disney is celebrating the 25th anniversary of Beauty and the Beast by bringing the animated classic out of the vault once more for a Signature Collection release. The new Blu-ray/ Digital HD release boasts new bonus features, including "#1074: Walt, Fairy Tales and Beauty and the Beast," a new documentary that traces the tales' history with the studio back to the days of Walt Disney himself.

Yahoo! Movies debuted a clip from the new featurette with producer Don Hahn, animator Glen Keane, and more discussing a painting by Kay Nielsen that influenced a turning point in the story of Belle and Beast. Hahn also spoke about how the scene plays out in the live-action film directed by Bill Condon.

Hahn promises the sequence will be just as memorable in Bill Condon’s upcoming live-action adaptation of Beauty and the Beast, which stars Emma Watson and Dan Stevens and will hit theaters on March 17, 2017. “I didn’t talk to Bill about Nielsen’s piece, but the moment in the film is exquisite. Bill crafted something that’s wonderfully caring, romantic and beautiful at the same time,” said Hahn. “It’s the kind of moment that filmmakers dream of, and it inspired Kay Nielsen, us, and now Bill.”

Beauty and the Beast will be available September 6th on Digital HD & Disney Movies Anywhere and September 20th on Blu-ray & DVD. Click here for more information on the release.

Source: Yahoo! Movies

First look at Luke Evans and Josh Gad in 'Beauty and the Beast' & more behind the scenes photos

Disney has been relatively stingy with what they have released from the live-action adaptation of Beauty and the Beast. Besides the teaser trailer and a few behind the scenes photos, fans seen very little of the film...until now.

The upcoming 25th anniversary Blu-ray/ Digital HD release of the animated classic is not available until next month, but some lucky fans had early access to the new special features, including a sneak peek of the live-action film, through iTunes. According to a thread on Blu-ray.com, the featurette runs 1:23 and showcases "mostly a table read with the cast, B-roll of the sets and a few costume sketches with Bill Condon narrating."

Photos have also surfaced from the sneak peek, including our first look at Luke Evans as Gaston and Josh Gad as Le Fou in the Tavern. There are also images of Dan Stevens as the Prince, Luke Evans and company rehearsing "Gaston," as well as costume sketches, concept art of the enchanted objects, and more.

The 25th anniversary edition of Beauty and the Beast will be available September 6th on Digital HD & Disney Movies Anywhere and September 20th on Blu-ray. Find out more about the upcoming release here. 

B-roll footage of Luke Evans (Gaston) and Josh Gad (Le Fou) filming "Gaston."

Concept art of Lumiere (Ewan McGregor) and Cogsworth (Ian McKellen)

Dan Stevens as the Prince (Beast)

Concept art of Belle (Emma Watson)

Concept art of Gaston (Luke Evans)

Concept art of Mrs. Potts (Emma Thompson)

Luke Evans (Gaston) and company during the London table read.
Concept art of the enchanted objects (Mrs. Potts, Chip, Garderobe, Cadenza) in the background.
From left to right: Ian McKellen (Cogsworth), Hattie Morahan (Agathe), Kevin Kline (Maurice), and Dan Stevens (Beast).

Dan Stevens (príncipe) Emma Watson (Bella) en imágenes detrás de las cámaras Crédito a @maconodom por las capturas. 🌹 #LaBellaylaBestia #Disney #BeautyandtheBeast #beautyandthebeast2017 #BillCondon #beautyandthebeastliveaction #BATB #disneyedit #batbedit #EmmaWatson #DanStevens #EwanMcgregor #EmmaThompson #LukeEvans #JoshGad #AudraMcdonald #GuguMbathaRaw #IanMckellen #StanleyTucci #KevinKline #HattieMorahan #labellaylabestia2017 #AlanMenken #HowardAshman #zoerainey #labellaelabestia #dieschöneunddasbiest #abelaeafera #alexisloizon #beautyandthebeast25anniversary

A photo posted by La Bella y la Bestia de Disney (@bellabestiason) on Aug 26, 2016 at 11:35am PDT

Dan Stevens (Beast) and Emma Watson (Belle) during the London table read.
Kevin Kline (Maurice) can also be seen to the left. 

La aldea en imágenes detrás de las cámaras Crédito a@maconodom por las capturas. 🌹 #LaBellaylaBestia #Disney #BeautyandtheBeast #beautyandthebeast2017 #BillCondon #beautyandthebeastliveaction #BATB #disneyedit #batbedit #EmmaWatson #DanStevens #EwanMcgregor #EmmaThompson #LukeEvans #JoshGad #AudraMcdonald #GuguMbathaRaw #IanMckellen #StanleyTucci #KevinKline #labellaylabestia2017 #AlanMenken #HowardAshman #zoerainey #labellaelabestia #dieschöneunddasbiest #abelaeafera #alexisloizon #beautyandthebeast25anniversary #25aniversario

A photo posted by La Bella y la Bestia de Disney (@bellabestiason) on Aug 26, 2016 at 11:38am PDT

Behind the scenes look at Belle's village.
Belle (Emma Watson) and Gaston (Luke Evans) can be seen near the top/center of the photo. 

Concept art of Belle's village

Belle and Gaston in the village

Belle's Village

Belle's Village

Emma Watson (Belle) in the recording studio

Source: Blu-ray.com,  La Bella y la Bestia de Disney, @maconodom, Beyond the Trailer

'Beauty and the Beast' News Round-Up #37

Stay up to date on all the latest Beauty and the Beast movie news by following on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram!

July 24th - August 7th

'Beauty and the Beast: The Enchanted Christmas' coming to DVD this October

It's Christmas is October! With the 25th anniversary re-release of Beauty and the Beast this September, many fans were also hoping to see the the film's sequels make their way out of the Disney vault this year. News came this week that Beauty and the Beast: The Enchanted Christmas will be released on Digital HD/ Disney Movies Anywhere and return to DVD on October 25th. The DVD release will include a sing along and the digital release will include additional special features, including a behind the scenes featurette and a music video for "As Long as There's Christmas" (many of the digital release's special features were included on the last Blu-ray/DVD release).

Beauty and the Beast: The Enchanted Christmas is now available for pre-order from Amazon.

Synopsis:

“Beauty and the Beast: The Enchanted Christmas” reveals a Christmas past when Belle does her best to warm the Beast’s castle with the spirit and hope of the season. The film’s all-star voice cast features Robby Benson as Beast and Paige O’Hara as Belle, along with the castle’s enchanted staff including Jerry Orbach as Lumiere, David Ogden Stiers as Cogsworth, Angela Lansbury as Mrs. Potts, Haley Joel Osment as Chip, Bernadette Peters as Angelique and Tim Curry as a grumpy pipe organ who threatens to ruin the holiday festivities. The film’s original musical score, composed by Academy Award®-winning film composer Rachel Portman, fully captures the spirit of the season.

Special Features:

Digital HD/ Disney Movies Anywhere:
Behind the Scenes Featurette- Step behind the scenes and witness how filmmakers created this irresistible holiday musical adventure — from storyboarding to special effects to the original musical score that lifts holiday spirits.

Disney Song Selection- Delight in the spirited songs featured in “Beauty and the Beast: The Enchanted Christmas” and performed by members of the star-studded cast.

Sing Along with the Movie- Grab a microphone – or a hairbrush – and sing along to your favorite songs from “Beauty and the Beast: The Enchanted Christmas.”

"As Long as There's Christmas"- Check out the music video for the uplifting holiday song, “As Long as There’s Christmas,” performed by Swedish pop group Play.

Enchanted Environment- Bring the crackling fireplace from the Beast’s castle into your own home!

Disney's Sing Me a Story with Be;;e: "Stick to It (Don't Give Up)"- Belle shares an inspirational message, encouraging viewers to keep trying and never give up.

DVD:
Sing Along with the Movie

Source: Laughing Place

'Beauty and the Beast' News Round-Up #33

Stay up to date on all the latest Beauty and the Beast movie news by following on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram!

June 19th - June 25th

'Beauty and the Beast' 25th anniversary Blu-Ray coming this September

The 25th anniversary of Beauty and the Beast is quickly becoming a year-long event, with two anniversary screenings already behind us, and the celebration continues with the re-release of the animated classic on Blu-ray and DVD this September. The Oscar-winning film will be the second release in the Walt Disney Signature Collection (Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs was released earlier this year) and comes packed with four version of the film, new special features, and a sneak peek of the upcoming live-action film starring Emma Watson and Dan Stevens.

Yahoo! Movies debuted a new trailer for the upcoming release (Disney is really putting forth their A++ effort for Beauty and the Beast trailers this year) and a breakdown of special features. Check out the trailer and special features below. Beauty and the Beast will be available September 6th on Digital HD & Disney Movies Anywhere and September 20th on Blu-ray & DVD.

FILM VERSIONS:
BLU-RAY, DIGITAL HD* & DISNEY MOVIES ANYWHERE:
Original theatrical version
New advanced sing-along version
Extended version with “Human Again” song sequence
DIGITAL HD* & DISNEY MOVIES ANYWHERE:
Work-in-progress version

Bonus Features:
BLU-RAY, DIGITAL HD* & DISNEY MOVIES ANYWHERE:
Menken & Friends: 25 Years of Musical Inspiration – Get a front-row seat for an intimate discussion between legendary music composers from classic and future Disney films, including Alan Menken (“Beauty and the Beast,” “Aladdin”), Stephen Schwartz (“The Hunchback of Notre Dame,” “Pocahontas”), Kristen Anderson-Lopez (“Frozen,” Disney’s upcoming “Gigantic”), Robert Lopez (“Frozen,” Disney’s upcoming “Gigantic”) and Lin-Manuel Miranda (Disney’s upcoming “Moana”).

Discover how the composers are personally connected, how they first experienced “Beauty and the Beast” and how they find inspiration for their own films. And watch as they pay tribute to the film’s award-winning music score and the man who has inspired them all—Alan Menken.

#1074: Walt, Fairy Tales & Beauty and the Beast – Long before “Beauty and the Beast” became the instant classic we know and love, Walt Disney made two attempts—between the 1930s and 1950s—to adapt the famous fairy tale into an animated film. Discover what Walt and his team was dreaming up through Walt’s actual voice recordings, archived artwork, story notes, and learn why the project was sidelined for decades.

Always Belle – The original voice of Belle, Paige O’Hara, reminisces about earning the role of the beautiful bookworm in “Beauty and the Beast” and recalls how the iconic character changed her life and continues to inspire fans both young and old.

The Recording Sessions – Go in the recording booth with the cast of Beauty and the Beast and see what went into adding voices to the characters and the lines we know and love.
25 Fun Facts About Beauty and the Beast – Disney Channel’s Gus Kamp and Kayla Maisonet host this entertaining countdown featuring little-known fun facts, anecdotes and hidden Easter Eggs (references to Disney animated films and characters) from one of the most cherished animated films of all time.

“Beauty and The Beast” Sneak Peek – An exciting first look into the live-action re-telling of “Beauty and the Beast,” which refashions the classic characters from the tale as old as time for a contemporary audience, staying true to the original music while updating the score with several new songs.

DIGITAL HD* & DISNEY MOVIES ANYWHERE:
Classic Bonus Features – These offerings from prior home entertainment releases include over five hours of bonus material, such as an alternate version of “Be Our Guest” and the “Beauty and the Beast” music video performed by Celine Dion and Peabo Bryson, and deleted scenes.

Target already has the Blu-ray available for pre-order and also has an exclusive edition with a 32-page storybook. The Blu-ray is also available for pre-order from Best Buy and Amazon.

The Disney Store is offering a set of four lithographs if you pre-order the Blu-ray by September 19th.

Digital HD available from Amazon and iTunes. You can also purchase a digital copy from Disney Movies Anywhere. 

Source: Yahoo! Movies, Blu-ray.com, Stitch Kingdom, Laughing Place