Official "Beauty & the Beast" Film Adaptation Thread

[beautywickedlover]

In the Broadway show, the length of the spell and the rose petals falling was changed from the Prince's 21st birthday to several years.

[SomeOtherMe]

"You can easily cut 'If I Can't Love Her'".

While I do admit that the song would be very easy to cut out, what would even be the point of making a new adaption of the musical if they're not going to include the "new" material? Might as well just cut "Home" as well, then.

[Bilbo3]

I honestly don't know the point of making this film. It sounds absurd to me. The cartoon is already perfect so if they are just trying to capitalize on that, then why even bother? Maybe the aim is to make it more gritty or something. I really don't know. I've always wanted to see a live version of one of my favorite cartoons, but I really can't get excited about this project for some reason. I'll wait for the trailer.

[Starship]

Because this is the first ever, live action adaptation of the material? It's not an animated film trying to replicate the original animated film so I have no problem with it. I always find it funny when projects like this come up and people act as if it's trying to replicate the original, which is silly in this case considering the original is an animated film.

I'm excited to see how this adaptation will play out. And unless I'm wrong, is this not Disney's first ever live action musical adaptation from their repertoire?

[Bilbo3]

"I always find it funny when projects like this come up and people act as if it's trying to replicate the original"

I don't think anyone has said it's trying to do that. No one really knows exactly what this is yet. Is it going to be a more grim take? Will it be a Broadway musical style or something more small and intimate? We don't really know. All we know is it's based on the Disney musical.

[JohnyBroadway]

I'm surprised we haven't heard any comment from Menken about this. After all, Beauty is practically his baby. It will be interesting to see if this will be full out Broadway or a few songs here and there.

[disneybroadwayfan22]

I have to agree with some others in the thread: I was doubting this, but I was really hoping that they would pull a Samantha Barks/Nikki Blonsky/Lilla Crawford and have Laura Osnes as Belle because she would have been the perfect Belle. She has the looks, experience, and the perfect voice for her. It'd be such a huge shame if Laura or any other Broadway actress to audition for Belle, be more talented than some other Hollywood actresses, but not get the part only because they are no-names in Hollywood.

But, I'm so happy that they cast Emma. She will be perfect! But, the fact that she is just now starting singing lessons (according to her Facebook) is making me a little bit nervous.

[Borstalboy]

Oh, a remake. What a thrillingly imaginative idea.

[Starship]

Is it really a remake though if the original was an animated film?

[Mrtrobz]

I can almost hear Jackman singing If I can't love her in my mind. They probably want someone younger though, can we please have Angela back for Mrs. Potts. :)

Jim Broadbent for Cogsworth!

Emma sings backing vocals here but I would like more to go on. I hope she pulls an Emily Blunt.

http://youtu.be/JY_Rlb8CeRI

[JohnyBroadway]

Laura Osnes would've been a sweet Belle, but do we even know if doing films is on her radar? I doubt they even did an open call for this.

[Bilbo3]

Since it's on film, I doubt we will get to see the actors playing Mrs.Potts, Lumiere and the rest. Probably just the faces on a medium sized teapot and candlestick. But who knows.

I'm really curious to see how they do Be our guest. CGI talking small plates and forks and spoons I guess. I must say, I will miss seeing long legged dancers doing kicklines and jazz steps like in the Broadway show. On film you don't need to compensate when you can CGI utensils and what not. But maybe I'm getting ahead of myself. This is still a mystery project.

[beautywickedlover]

"But, the fact that she is just now starting singing lessons (according to her Facebook) is making me a little bit nervous."

There is still plenty of time before filming begins. I have great confidence in her.

[haterobics]

"Laura Osnes would've been a sweet Belle, but do we even know if doing films is on her radar?"

You probably have that flipped around. Is casting her on Hollywood's radar?

[Jeffrey Karasarides]

Many theatre actors always at least have interest in doing TV/Film, but they often feel more at home on the stage.

[disneybroadwayfan22]

You probably have that flipped around. Is casting her on Hollywood's radar?

Laura actually said earlier this month on her Twitter that she is interested in voicing a Disney character. I can easily picture Laura the next Disney heroine after Moana. If they took Santino for Prince Hans, they will definitely take her

[disneybroadwayfan22]

You probably have that flipped around. Is casting her on Hollywood's radar?

Laura actually said earlier this month on her Twitter that she is interested in voicing a Disney character. I can easily picture Laura the next Disney heroine after Moana. If they took Santino for Prince Hans, they will definitely take her

[GiantsInTheSky2]

"Laura actually said earlier this month on her Twitter that she is interested in voicing a Disney character." That doesn't mean Hollywood is interested in HER.

I don't get the point of Disney making live-person film adaptations of material that's already been made, loved, and done with. I got the point of Maleficent, since it was more of a spin-off/prequel than an updated Sleeping Beauty...but what is with the new Cinderella? Why that was made (and where the hell the demand was) is beyond me. Same goes for this Beauty and the Beast. Cinderella looks incredibly weak in comparison to the classic animated film. I imagine this will be the same.

[disneybroadwayfan22]

That doesn't mean Hollywood is interested in HER.

I mean they took Lilla Crawford in INTO THE WOODS, Samantha Barks in LES MIS, and half of the cast in Frozen were no or little names, so anything could happen :)

[Bilbo3]

It's also Beauty and the Beast. It practically sells itself. It's not like it needs a star to play Belle. Emma Watson is known but it's not like she is Natalie Portman or Anne Hatheway or anything. She's only really been in one set of films and I've never thought she showed much acting range. I'll try and go in with an open mind.

[Jungle Red]

I thought Watson improved drastically over the course of her seven Harry Potter movies. She's a quick learner. She'll be fine in the role.

I'm not surprised this project is happening and I'm really excited for it. But is Condon going to be the best director? While I love his writing, I wasn't thrilled with Condon's choices for Dreamgirls.

And Cinderella looks incredible. So there.

[Starship]

I second the Cinderella comment. It looks vibrant, elegant, and touching.

[Jungle Red]

Beauty and the Beast is way more special effects/cgi heavy, so we'll see how they do that.

I can't wait to see Belle's gown, how they do the prologue, the opening number, Gaston's death scene, and the final transformations.

So.. basically, I can't wait to watch the entire thing.

[Fan123]

I wonder if this means that the planned Warner Bros non-musical version of 'Beauty and the Beast', with which Emma Watson was once rumoured to be involved, is basically dead. Has anybody heard anything about it lately? I'm referring (I think) to the one to which Guillermo Del Toro was originally attached as director.

Have any folks seen last year's French version with Vincent Cassel / CGI as the Beast? If so, is it worth a look?

[Visceral_Fella]

Laura Osnes is not on that level of recognition, and who wouldn't want to voice a Disney character?

Speaking of recognition and Laura Osnes, every time I read her name (because she gets suggested for literally everything on BWW) I can't help but think about when she said Cinderella shouldn't be pop-y in reference to the Brandi and Whitney Houston film. Though I understood her sentiment, she will never, ever have the name recognition of Brandi or the late Whitney Houston. That interview got seen by maybe 2,000 people, if Brandi or Whitney came back for her it would be crippling. People need to remember stuff like that, even though I don't think she was trying to be shady. Yes, it was minor and seemingly thoughtless, but still know your place and take in what the repercussions of your words could be.

I'm going to end my rant here.

[Dave19]

I love the idea of making a film out of this Disney classic, which is mature and gritty and includes the music of the film.

In the Cinderella remake (and Maleficent) I truly miss the glorious music. I've always wondered why they never did this before.
With that said, I hope they don't include much of the Broadway musical numbers (for example "If I can't love her", or "home"), which are numbers that don't add anything to the story. We know how he feels and we know that she is not home. Even in the stage show they feel unnecessary and just added to make it longer, just like the ridiculously long dance-break in be our guest etc.

Emma Watson said she will sing "Something there". Does that mean she will not sing for example "Belle"? If they go that route, they could also use the music as some kind of "voiceover", sung by a real singer. As if their thoughts are being sung.

As for the enchanted objects, I think CGI would be perfect, at least then we will have normal-size, realistic looking objects.