There are a lot of big movies coming out next year, but at this point, it seems like the general public might be the most excited forBeauty and the Beast. This is the latest in Disney’s strategy of remaking animated classics as live-action movies and that strategy has worked very well so far. ButAngela Lansbury, who lent her voice to the original animatedBeauty and the Beast, doesn’t feel overly confident about this new version.
The actress recently spoke toEntertainment Weeklyin honor of the 25th anniversary of the animatedBeauty and the Beast.Angela Lansburyvoiced Mrs. Potts in the original and when she was asked about this upcoming remake, she seemed a bit defensive and to say the least, not exactly positive about it. Here is what she had to say.
“I was a bit taken aback, naturally. I thought, ‘Why? Why are we doing this over again?’ But I guess, I don’t know why they’re doing it. But they are and it will be interesting to see what they do with it. These are live action pieces and I know very well the actress who’s playing Mrs. Potts and she’s a very good friend of mine. It’s Emma Thompson. I don’t quite know why they’re doing it. I can’t understand what they’re going to do with it that will be better than what we’ve already done. And how they’re doing it live - it may turn to be very entertaining and wonderful. It won’t be like the cartoon that we did, but it’s a good story - it’s one of the famous fairy stories that is known worldwide by children. Therefore, why not? I don’t blame them for doing it. But, I’m sorry, they’re not really on our territory. We did it ascartoon characters, and that is quite different from live actors.”
DespiteAngela Lansbury’s doubts, Disney has assembled a veryimpressive castforBeauty and the Beast, which includesHarry PotteralumEmma Watsonas Belle andDan Stevensas the Beast. They are joined byLuke Evans, Oscar winnerKevin Kline,Josh Gad,Ewan McGregor,Stanley Tucci,Gugu Mbatha-Raw, six-time Tony Award winnerAudra McDonald, Oscar nomineeIan McKellenand two-time Academy Award winnerEmma Thompsonas Mrs. Potts. If this movie is bad or can’t seem to justify its existence, asAngela Lansburysuggests, it certainly doesn’t appear that it will be for a lack of talent.
Angela Lansburymay not understand whyDisneyis doing this newBeauty and the Beast, but it isn’t rocket science. Quite simply, the studio has had a tremendous amount of success with these live-action adaptations so far. Starting withTim Burton’sAlice In Wonderland, which made more than $1 billion worldwide back in 2010. Since then, they have also had success withMaleficent,CinderellaandThe Jungle Book, which was one of the highest-grossing ($966 million) and best-reviewed movies this year. Disney has no reason to thinkBeauty and the Beastwon’t be at least as successful at this point. The studio also has several other live-action projects in development, includingDumbo,The Little Mermaid,AladdinandThe Lion King.
Academy Award winnerBill Condonis directing the movie with eight-time Oscar-winning composerAlan Menkenreturning to score this new live action version. He won two Oscars for the 1991 animated movie.Beauty and the Beastwill also feature new recordings of the original songs written byMenkenandHoward Ashman, in addition to several new songs written byMenkenand three-time Oscar winnerTim Rice. Disney’sBeauty and the Beastis set for release on July 31, 2025.
