Despite the barnstorming success of its forebear, fantasy sequel Alice Through the Looking Glass failed to impress across critical and commercial circles, amassing only $294 million where its predecessor broke into Hollywood’s exclusive billion-dollar club six years ago.
Disney will be hoping James Bobin’s follow-up was simply a minor blip, though, as it gears up for the release of Beauty and the Beast early next year. Placing Emma Watson and Dan Stevens in the central roles, the House of Mouse has enveloped its leading duo with an all-star cast, and today co-producer Jack Morrissey has pulled back the curtain on our first look at Cogsworth (Ian McKellen) and Lumiere (Ewan McGregor). There’s a sneak peek at Dan Stevens’ Beast, too.
When it comes to that animated clock and candelabra, Morrissey cautioned that “these designs are close but may not be final,” but those images embedded above are still an intriguing look at how Disney has modernized two of its most iconic characters. It’ll be some time yet before we see Cogsworth and Lumiere – and indeed the entire cast – in action, with only a minute-long teaser for Beauty and the Beast snippet currently out in the wild.
Rounding out the casting docket for Bill Condon’s lavish, live-action reimaginging are Luke Evans as Gaston, Emma Thompson as Mrs Potts., along with Josh Gad, Stanley Tucci, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Kevin Kline and Audra McDonald.
The House of Mouse will cordially invite you to yet another of its live-action remakes when Beauty and the Beast arrives in theaters on March 17, 2017.
