As far as I can tell, this is no longer based on the Menken, Ashman and Rice musical, but a loose adaptation of Disney's version (which is influenced by the French Expressionist film version).
So whether or not Belle can sing may be a moot point.
Was it ever supposed to be the musical? I thought that was all speculation.
They recently said that it will be based on the Broadway show. (From a couple pages back)
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/28/07
From a few months back when Chbosky was brought on to re-write the script.
"The news follows the June announcement that Bill Condon, who most recently directed Twilight’s final two chapters, would helm the new version that will include music from the iconic animated feature as well as Disney’s long-running Broadway musical. The original draft was written by Evan Spiliotopoulos (Hercules, Tinkerbell and the Lost Treasure)."
http://insidemovies.ew.com/2014/09/29/perks-of-being-a-wallflower-stephen-chbosky-beauty-and-the-beast/
"Watson can act. She's shown so much growth over the years. Look at her performance in 'Perks of Being a Wallflower'. Even though I did not think 'Noah' was a great film, her character and performance were some of the few things I liked in the film. She has also played a bookworm before. If she can sing, then I'd be fine with her playing this role."
I never said she can't act. She just has a very limited acting range and she would be all wrong for Belle. Even in PERKS OF BEING A WALLFLOWER, she was the weakest of the 3 and her accent was all over the place. I haven't seen Noah.
Broadway Legend Joined: 4/10/12
I was just going to say this project has never been confirmed as a musical. Perhaps it will be, but for right now it simply looks like a straight forward adaptation.
Broadway Star Joined: 7/29/12
Emma Watson would be incredible as Beauty and the Beast (granted that she can act). I think the thing that makes Emma so great is that (acting wise) she can be graceful and elegant but also strong and confident which I think is essentially Belle. A lot of the other princesses lean more on the sweet and innocent side but in my opinion, Belle is much stronger and wiser than a lot of the other princesses.
I don't know if Chris Pine would do another musical so soon, but if he did, he'd be truly fantastic as Gaston I think. It seems from the ITW clips that he can be charming and slimey as well. If not him, Jake Gyllenhaal would also be great too.
As for the Beast, I would KILL to see Hugh Jackman as the Beast. The only reservation I have is him coming across way too old for Emma post-transformation. Josh Gad is an inspired choice for Le Fou and I'd be fun to see someone like Alan Cumming play Maurice.
Leading Actor Joined: 9/16/13
I think it's safe to say if Bill Condon (Dreamgirls) went to see the production in France then it is a musical being written by Chbosky (Rent).
Updated On: 11/26/14 at 05:13 PM
Emma Watson is a very gifted actress. Her turns in THE PERKS OF BEING A WALLFLOWER and THE BLING RING were fantastic, and she was one of the few watchable things about NOAH even when she had an awful character. I think she could play Belle with the right amount of strength and drive. However, Watson did pass on CINDERELLA, so I wonder if she's just not interested in playing a Disney character.
Anna Kendrick will stay far away from this, though she'd be perfect in the role.
Watson would make me happy as would Evan Rachel Wood.
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/20/13
Personally, I hope Laura Osnes stays far away from this project. I would like her to play something that isn't an ingenu-like role.
I agree, my dream role for Laura is Cathy Ames in an East of Eden musical
Either Emma Watson or Emmy Rossum would be ideal as Belle.
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