All eyes in Hollywood may be trained on Bill Condon’s live-action Beauty and the Beast, which thrusts Emma Watson and Dan Stevens into the title roles, but across the pond French director Christophe Gans (Brotherhood of the Wolf, Silent Hill) is dreaming up his own interpretation of the fairytale classic, and today brings forth its very first trailer.
On this occasion, it is Vincent Cassel and Spectre star Léa Seydoux that assume the leading roles – Amélie star André Dussollier is also among the ensemble – and this first-look trailer unveils a romantic story that is slightly more lively and colorful than its Hollywood brethren. What’s more, unlike Bill Condon’s upcoming feature, here we see Vincent Cassel’s beast in all of his grotesque glory. But will this French version prove a hit with NA audiences given Disney’s oncoming release?
Beauty and the Beast roars to life on September 23. As for the one hailing from the House of Mouse, it’ll open on March 17, 2017.
1810. After the wreck of his ships, a financially-ruined merchant (Andre Dussollier) exiles himself in the countryside with his six children. Among them is Belle (Lea Seydoux), his youngest daughter, a joyful girl full of grace. One day, during an arduous journey, the merchant stumbles across the magical domain of the Beast (Vincent Cassel), who sentences him to death for stealing a rose. Feeling responsible for the terrible fate which has befallen her family, Belle decides to sacrifice herself and take her father’s place.
At the Beast’s castle, it is not death that awaits Belle, but a strange life in which fantastical moments mingle with gaiety and melancholy. Every night, at dinner, Belle and the Beast sit down together. They learn about each other, taming one another like two strangers who are total opposites. When she has to repulse his amorous advances, Belle tries to pierce the mysteries of the Beast and his domain. And when night falls, the Beast’s past is revealed to her bit by bit in her dreams. It is a tragic story, which tells her that this solitary and fearsome being was once a majestic prince. Armed with her courage, ignoring every danger, and opening her heart, Belle manages to release the Beast from his curse. And in doing so, she discovers true love.
