Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Ewan McGregor joins star-studded Beauty and the Beast cast as Lumiere

The Scottish actor will be preparing for showstopper song 'Be Our Guest'

Jess Denham
Wednesday 22 April 2015 15:22 BST
Comments
Ewan McGregor looks set to play Lumiere in the Beauty and the Beast live action remake
Ewan McGregor looks set to play Lumiere in the Beauty and the Beast live action remake (Getty Images/Rex Features)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Ewan McGregor is the latest big name to join the cast of Disney’s Beauty and the Beast live action remake.

The Scottish actor is in final talks to play the Beast’s suave French servant and close friend Lumiere, who turns into a candelabra when the Prince’s castle is cursed, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

Yes, this means Ewan will be performing the movie’s most popular song “Be Our Guest”, but then he did get lots of singing practice in 2001’s Moulin Rouge.

Emma Watson is on board to play heroine Belle, Downton Abbey’s Dan Stevens is her Beast and eventual Prince Charming and Luke Evans will star as arrogant, chauvinistic villain Gaston.

Emma Watson will play Belle in Beauty and the Beast
Emma Watson will play Belle in Beauty and the Beast (Getty Images/Disney)

Ian McKellen has taken on one of his most bizarre roles yet as grandfather clock Cogsworth, while Emma Thompson is motherly teapot Mrs Potts, Josh Gad is Gaston’s faithful sidekick Le Fou, Gugu Mbatha-Raw is feather duster Plumette and Audra McDonald is glamourous wardrobe Garderobe.

Bill Condon is directing the modern reboot of the 1991 animated classic that teaches children how personality is more important than appearance. The original songs will be retained, along with some new ones from Alan Menken and Tim Rice.

Filming is scheduled to begin next month but read-throughs took taking place in London last week. Fans will have to wait until March 2017 for Beauty and the Beast to reach the silver screen.

Disney is busy remaking many of its animated films, with Pinocchio, The Jungle Book, Dumbo and Mulan all set to follow the successes of Alice in Wonderland, Maleficent and most recently, Cinderella, into live action movies.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in