“X-Men,” “The Lord of the Rings,” and “The Hobbit” star Ian McKellen has joined the cast of Walt Disney Pictures’ Beauty and the Beast as the clock Cogsworth, reports Variety.
In the March 17, 2017 release, Emma Watson and Dan Stevens will star as Belle and the Beast/Prince, respectively, and Luke Evans will play the role of Gaston. Emma Thompson has been cast as Mrs. Potts and Kevin Kline as Belle’s father, Maurice. Josh Gad was also previously reported as playing Lefou, though Disney has not confirmed that casting. The beloved tale will be retold for the big screen with a modern live-action lens and the help of transformative CG magic.
Eight-time Oscar-winner Alan Menken, who won two Academy Awards for the 1991 animated classic, will score the film, which will feature new recordings of the original songs in addition to several new songs written by Menken and Sir Tim Rice. Bill Condon will direct from a script by Stephen Chbosky, and the film will be produced by Mandeville Films’ David Hoberman and Todd Lieberman.
Production begins in May at Shepperton Studios in London.
(Photo Credit: Getty Images)
