Live-Action Movie Musical BEAUTY & THE BEAST Planned by Disney for 2011/2016? — Page 6

Where has it been confirmed that it is a musical? I am surprised that there hasn't been a statement from Alan Menken. After all Beauty was his and Howard's baby.

The release date might be sooner than we think or we might have to wait a little longer. It's likely that this project was shelved and now it's been taken down from there. Alan Menken first mentioned a live-action 'Beauty and the Beast' film in 2009, so there was work on it being done.

http://jimhillmedia.com/contributors1/b/jim_hilll/archive/2009/07/01/hollywood-bets-big-on-beast-considers-remake-of-my-fair-lady.aspx

However, Alan Menken said that plan was scrapped in 2011.

http://www.denofgeek.com/movies/725326/alan_menken_interview_tangled_movie_scores_musicals_enchanted_2_snow_queen_and_more.html

An film adaptation of 'The Snow Queen' was in development hell for many years, but after 'Tangled's success, Disney finally commissioned the project in December 2011 and it became the animated blockbuster 'Frozen'.

Early work began on 'Maleficent' around 2009 and Angelina Jolie's name was tossed around in 2010. It wasn't until February 2012 that she confirmed she was doing the film.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/02/15/angelina-jolie-director-in-the-land-of-blood-and-honey_n_1279744.html

A live-action 'Cinderella' began development in 2010 and the film's original director, Mark Romanek began negotiations to do it. He was later replaced by Kenneth Branagh in 2013.

http://www.deadline.com/2011/08/disney-courting-mark-romanek-to-direct-re-imagined-cinderella/

The project was not really mentioned again until late 2012 when Cate Blanchett began talks to play Lady Tremaine in the movie..

http://www.cinemablend.com/new/Cate-Blanchett-Up-Wicked-Role-Disney-Live-Action-Cinderella-Feature-34288.html

I believe work on the new 'Jungle Book' movie began around early to late 2013, but there was a report about in in Spring 2012.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2137376/The-Jungle-Book-remade-live-action-movie-Harry-Potter-writer.html

Obviously since the live-action fantasy films 'Alice in Wonderland' and 'Oz the Great Powerful' brought in big bucks and there was plenty of box office hype about 'Maleficent' and 'Cinderella', Disney became interested in this project again and Bill Condon began early talks in April of this year. It wasn't until after 'Maleficent's successful opening weekend that it was finally commissioned.

Updated On: 6/13/14 at 01:59 PM

THIS WOULD BE AMAZING!! i hope it happens!!!!

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I'm sorry but Emma Watson, Jen Lawrence and Kristin Stewart are just awful choices for belle. Why even do it if the lead can't sing? I'm positive neither one will be in the film (if this film actually happens, which it wont). Why not just get an unknown? It's BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, it sells itself. IF they are going for a known person then this has Lea Michele written all over it. Or even Anneliese Van der pol. Are they completely right for the part? No, but they make more sense than Emma Watson.

Updated On: 9/29/14 at 08:04 PM

I could imagine them going for a lesser-known actress for Belle, assuming they cast some big names around her.

That said, I hope they cast Jean Dujardin as Lumiere.

YES EMMY! She's one of my top choices!

Oh...
PERKS OF BEING A WALLFLOWER Author to Pen Disney's New Live-Action BEAUTY AND THE BEAST

^ I also like the idea of Samantha Barks.

I don't really know if a middle age belle would work. We also have to realize that this isn't going to get made this year or next. All these "wonderful" ideas might be too old by the time the film comes out. Kristin Bell will probably be 40 by the time this actually happens ( if it does).

I think Hugh Jackman should play Gaston.

Belle is supposed to be 18, so they will probably go with someone that is in their late teens to mid-20s. The actresses that most mentioned will be 30+ by the time the movie starts filming. Amy Adams is already 40. I think and hope they will go the Cinderella route by casting big or semi-big names for the supporting characters (i.e. Cate Blanchett as Lady Tremaine, Helena Bonham Carter as the Fairy Godmother, etc) and unknowns/semi-unknowns for the leads. I doubt Disney would cast Kristin Stewart as Belle. I mean, come on. They know better! The best name so far is Ariane Rinehart. She did an amazing job in Sound of Music Live.

As for Hugh Jackman as Gaston, as much as I love him, Hugh is almost 50. I see them going with someone like Chris Pine. Just think about the casts of Into the Woods and Cinderella -- that's how they will cast Beauty and the Beast.

Belle is far from a basic disney princess, she needs to be beautiful but also strong, intelligent and have a warmth to her. I like emma Watson but warmth is never something I have got from.her as an actress.

Samantha Barks is an interesting choice but I can't help but feel they'd be better to launch an unknown and cast names around them (a bit like Hairspray did)

Emmy was awful in the phantom movie, complete lack of screen presence so not sure I'd want her personally