'Beauty and the Beast' News Round-Up #2

This week's news round-up includes two casting announcements, Josh Gad's appearance on The Talk, and more.

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Stanley Tucci brings a new character to the cast of 'Beauty and the Beast'

If news of Ewan McGregor joining the cast of Beauty and the Beast was not enough excitement for one day, Disney also announced a brand new character featured in Bill Condon's live-action adaptation of the animated classic.

Variety reports Stanley Tucci will star as a grand piano named Cadenza, who is described as a "neurotic maestro." Tucci previously worked with director Bill Condon on The Fifth Estate, which also starred Dan Stevens (Beast).

Beauty and the Beast is set for release on March 17, 2017.

Source: Variety

Ewan McGregor joins 'Beauty and the Beast' as Lumiere

Casting announcements for Beauty and the Beast have been steadily rolling out over the past several weeks, but one key player has been noticeably absent during that time. Fans were clamoring to find out who would play Lumiere and we finally have our answer! According to The Hollywood Reporter, Ewan McGregor will join the already impressive cast of Beauty and the Beast as the lovable candelabra. The actor has already showcased his musical talents in Baz Luhrmann's Moulin Rouge, as well as the closing number for Down with Love and a few other projects.

UPDATE: Ewan McGregor shared the photo below on Instagram a few days after news broke of the actor joining the cast of Beauty and the Beast.

Practice.

A photo posted by Ewan Mcgregor (@mcgregor_ewan) on Apr 23, 2015 at 2:59pm PDT

Source: The Hollywood Reporter/ mcgregor_ewan

Hattie Morahan's 'Beauty and the Beast' role revealed

UPDATE: Director Bill Condon confirmed Morahan's role as the Enchantress at the UK premiere of his new film, Mr. Holmes (at the 0:53 mark in the video below).

Ian McKellen's account of the first Beauty and the Beast table read stirred up a lot of emotions as it was the first detailed insight into Disney's live-action adaptation of their beloved animated classic. In addition to producing a few tears, McKellen's piece also contained a bit of a mystery when the actor mentioned Hattie Morahan among the cast. No official announcement was made about the actress' role in the film, but Jack Morrissey confirmed her involvement via Facebook earlier this week.

According to Morrissey, Morahan will play the Enchantress who curses the Beast and the inhabitants of his castle. Morahan previously worked with both McKellen and director Bill Condon on Mr. Holmes and also starred with Dan Stevens (Beast) in the 2008 version of Sense and Sensibility. And if you are keeping count, that makes two Elinor Dashwoods in the cast of Beauty and the Beast. Emma Thompson (Mrs. Potts) also played the character in the 1995 Ang Lee film, for which Thompson won the Academy Award for Adapted Screenplay.

Gugu Mbatha-Raw joins 'Beauty and the Beast' as Plumette

In the latest round of casting news, Variety reports Beyond the Lights star Gugu Mbatha-Raw joins the cast of Beauty and the Beast as Plumette. The feather duster, who is known by several other names in different versions of the story, is also a romantic interest of Lumiere's in the animated film. Mbatha-Raw recently starred in Belle and showcased her beautiful vocal talent in 2014's Beyond the Lights.

Source: Variety

Ian McKellen joins 'Beauty and the Beast' as Cogsworth

The cast of Beauty and the Beast continues to impress with the news of two-time Academy Award nominee Ian McKellen set to play Cogsworth. McKellen, known for his work in the Lord of the Rings and X-Men series, previously worked with Beauty and the Beast director Bill Condon on Gods and Monsters (for which the actor received his first Oscar nomination and Condon won 'Best Adapted Screenplay') and the upcoming Mr. Holmes (July 17, 2015). 

Beauty and the Beast also stars Emma Watson, Dan Stevens, Luke Evans, Kevin Kline, Josh Gad, Audra McDonald, and Emma Thompson. The film, which begins shooting next month in London, is set for release on March 17, 2017. 

Source: Variety

Audra McDonald joins 'Beauty and the Beast' as Garderobe

Beauty and the Beast already boasts a tremendous cast and the upcoming Disney film continues to draw in extraordinary talent. The Hollywood Reporter reports six-time Tony winning actress Audra McDonald will join the cast as Garderobe, the wardrobe in the Beast's enchanted castle.

Photo: Autumn de Wilde

McDonald, who won her sixth Tony for her portrayal of Billie Holliday in Lady Day at Emerson's Bar and Grill, also starred in ABC's Private Practice and as Mother Abbess in NBC's live production of The Sound of Music in 2013. Previously announced cast members include Emma Watson (Belle), Dan Stevens (the Beast), Luke Evans (Gaston), Josh Gad (LeFou), Kevin Kline (Maurice), and Emma Thompson (Mrs. Potts). Beauty and the Beast is set to begin production in May with Bill Condon at the helm and will be in theaters March 17, 2017. 

Source: The Hollywood Reporter 

Emma Thompson & Kevin Kline join 'Beauty and the Beast'

In addition to news of Beauty and the Beast's 2017 release date, Disney also announced two additional members of the cast this afternoon. Oscar winners Emma Thompson (Sense & Sensibility, Saving Mr. Banks) and Kevin Kline (A Fish Called Wanda, The Hunchback of Notre Dame) join the cast as Mrs. Potts and Belle's father, Maurice.

Beauty and the Beast alumnus Alan Menken will return to score the film, which will feature songs from the 1991 animated classic, as well as new songs written by Menken and Tim Rice. Production is set to begin this May at Shepperton Studios in London.

Source: The Laughing Place

Tony Award nominee Josh Gad joins 'Beauty and the Beast' as LeFou

Disney continues to fill out the cast of their upcoming live-action adaptation of Beauty and the Beast with Tony nominee Josh Gad. The Wrap reports Gad, who recently voiced Olaf in Frozen, will join the cast as Gaston's bumbling sidekick LeFou. Gad joins Emma Watson as Belle, Dan Stevens as the Beast, and Luke Evans as Gaston. Beauty and the Beast is set to begin production this May in London with Bill Condon (Dreamgirls, Gods and Monsters) at the helm. No release date has been announced at this time.

pic.twitter.com/F8rhfkNdMg

— Josh Gad (@joshgad) March 13, 2015

Source: The Wrap

Emma Watson welcomes Dan Stevens & Luke Evans to the cast 'Beauty and the Beast'

Last night brought not one, but two important casting announcements for Disney's upcoming live-action adaptation of Beauty and the Beast. The Hollywood Reporter confirmed Downton Abbey's Dan Stevens will star as the Beast and Variety reported The Hobbit's Luke Evans will play Gaston. While fans were busy debating the pros and cons of the latest casting news, Emma Watson, who was previously announced as Belle, welcomed both actors to the film's cast.

Could not be more happy that this man will be Beast!!! Welcome aboard @thatdanstevens #beautyandthebeast pic.twitter.com/F1ghG3pvcU
— Emma Watson (@EmWatson) March 5, 2015

Bonjour Gaston! ❤️ Welcome! #BeautyAndTheBeast pic.twitter.com/oerhe1ilGs
— Emma Watson (@EmWatson) March 5, 2015

Production on Beauty and the Beast is set to begin later this year with Bill Condon (Dreamgirls, Breaking Dawn) at the helm. No release date is set at this time.

EDIT: Dan Stevens and Luke Evans responded to Watson's tweet in a rather sweet way.

@EmWatson Grrrrrr

— Dan Stevens (@thatdanstevens) March 5, 2015

@EmWatson Why thank you Belle!! 💘 #beautyandthebeast pic.twitter.com/eCPFI4vuDB

— Luke Evans (@TheRealLukevans) March 5, 2015

Source: @EmWatson

Dan Stevens joins 'Beauty and the Beast' in titular role

On the heels of the news of Luke Evans joining the cast as Gaston, The Hollywood Report brings news of Dan Stevens joining Beauty and the Beast as the titular Beast. Stevens, who rose to fame with his role as Matthew Crawley on Downton Abbey, recently starred in The Guest and previously worked with Beauty and the Beast director Bill Condon on The Fifth Estate. 

Stevens also confirmed the news on Twitter, posting an image with the words "Beast Mode."

pic.twitter.com/GKiJKyE5H9
— Dan Stevens (@thatdanstevens) March 5, 2015

Source: The Hollywood Reporter 

Luke Evan in talks to play Gaston

Variety reports that The Hobbit star Luke Evans is in talks to play Gaston alongside Emma Watson in Beauty and the Beast. In Disney's 1991 animated classic, Gaston is the brutish antagonist who attempts to woo Belle and destroy the Beast. Evans most recently appeared as Bard in The Hobbit trilogy and Vlad in Dracula Untold. 

Production is said to begin later this year on the Bill Condon directed adaptation, but no release date has been announced at this time.

Source: Variety

Emma Watson cast as Belle in 'Beauty & the Beast'

Emma Watson has been attached to Warner Brothers' stalled live-action adaptation of Beauty and the Beast for a number of years, but it appears she will now be donning a yellow gown and enjoying a taste of the grey stuff. Disney announced today that Watson will play Belle in an upcoming live-action adaptation of their 1991 animated classic Beauty and the Beast. The actress also confirmed the news in a message on her Facebook page, which reveals the film will be a musical.

Post by Emma Watson.

The Disney Times also notes the film's musical status, which will include "at least some of the songs from the animated film." The film is in good hands with director Bill Condon, who helmed the film adaptation of Dreamgirls and received a "Best Adapted Screenplay" Oscar nomination for Chicago. Evan Spiliotopoulos (Tinker Bell and the Lost Treasure) is credited with an earlier version of the script, which has since been re-worked by Steve Chbosky (The Perks of Being a Wallflower).

Production on the film is set to commence later this year. No release date has been set, but The Disney Times notes that the film will be in theaters no earlier than 2016.

Wishing Emma Watson all the best in her latest role! pic.twitter.com/dLUE97cXdR
— Disney ARL (@DisneyARL) January 26, 2015

Source: The Disney Times, Emma Watson on Facebook