Ewan McGregor in Talks for 'Beauty and the Beast' With Emma Watson!
by Shannon Keirnan
Disney's live-action "Beauty and the Beast" cast is rounding out! The newest addition? Scottish actor Ewan McGregor!
McGregor is in final discussions to play Lumiere, the charming and singing candlestick (voiced in the 1991 animated film by Jerry Orbach).
McGregor joins an all-star cast featuring Emma Watson as Belle, Dan Stevens as the Beast/Prince, Luke Evans as Gaston, Josh Gad as Le Fou, Emma Thompson as Mrs. Potts, Kevin Kline as Maurice, Gugu Mbatha-Raw as Plumette, and Audra McDonald as Garderobe.
McGregor has already proved his talent for singing with 2001's smash hit "Moulin Rouge." It's not hard to picture the handsome actor crooning "Be Our Guest" and cozying up to his feather-duster love interest!
Bill Condon ("Chicago," "Dreamgirls") directs, with a script by Stephen Chbosky. The film will feature beloved songs from the original Disney version (written by Alan Menken and Howard Ashman), with fresh additions by Menken and TIm Rice.
The recent successes of live-action Disney remakes like "Cinderella" means it's no surprise that "Beauty and the Beast" is next to get its overhaul. Rumored for future adaptions are "Mulan," "Dumbo," and "Pinocchio."
"Beauty and the Beast" is set to begin filming in London this May, with a release scheduled for March of 2017.
What do you think of adding McGregor to the cast?