‘Beauty and the Beast’ unveils first official images

CEBU, Philippines - Feast your eyes on the newly released official images from Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast.” Take your first look at Emma Watson and Dan Stevens as the titular characters, Luke Evans as Gaston and the castle’s enchanted staff.

Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast” is a live-action adaptation of the studio’s animated classic 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.

“Beauty and the Beast” is the fantastic journey of Belle, a bright, beautiful and independent young woman who is taken prisoner by a beast in his castle. Despite her fears, she befriends the castle’s enchanted staff and learns to look beyond the Beast’s hideous exterior and realize the kind heart and soul of the true Prince within.

The film stars Watson as Belle; Stevens as the Beast; Luke Evans as Gaston, the handsome but shallow villager who woos Belle; Oscar winner Kevin Kline as Maurice, Belle’s eccentric but lovable father; Josh Gad as Le Fou, Gaston’s long-suffering aide-de-camp; Golden Globe nominee Ewan McGregor as Lumière, the candelabra; Oscar nominee Stanley Tucci as Cadenza, the harpsichord; Gugu Mbatha-Raw as Plumette, the feather duster; six-time Tony Award winner Audra McDonald as Madame De Garderobe, the wardrobe; Hattie Morahan as Agathe, the enchantress; Nathan Mack as Chip, the teacup; Oscar nominee Ian McKellen as Cogsworth, the mantel clock; and two-time Academy Award winner Emma Thompson as the teapot, Mrs. Potts.

The film is directed by Oscar winner Bill Condon based on the 1991 animated film, “Beauty and the Beast.” Eight-time Oscar-winning composer Alan Menken, who won two Academy Awards (Best Original Score and Best Song) for the animated film, provides the score, which includes new recordings of the original songs written by Menken and Howard Ashman, as well as three new songs written by Menken and three-time Oscar winner Tim Rice.

Opening across the Philipppines on March 15, 2017, “Beauty and the Beast” will be distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures International through Columbia Pictures.