Can stars Emma Watson and Dan Stevens continue the fairytale for fans of the animated classic? I cant even think how many times I watched it as a child, says the formerHarry Potterstar. I knew all the words by heart. I knew all the songs by heart. Now, Watson has put her love for and knowledge of the film to uniquely productive use. I kept singing what I thought would be a rather good addition to the score, says theX-Menfranchise star....

They were no longer cartoon damsels in distress. Belle even read books! Its all about baby steps in the Magic Kingdom. The new films were faithful to the predecessors, but not slavish. There is an innocence and intelligence to her that fits the character perfectly. She also, it turns out, can sing. They feel like they could have been conceived and performed 50 years ago. I wish Condon had taken more license and given them more life....

Ive got four girls, says theTrainspottingandMoulin Rougeactor. Its nice to get the opportunity to sing again in a film. And I get this great number, Be Our Guest, which Lumiere sings. Credit: Disney; Paul Bruinooge/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images My French didnt really sound very French to begin with it sounded a bit Spanish or something. So, I got to do my whole performance again, which was a really nice opportunity....

In their second film together, last yearsMr. Holmes, McKellen portrayed legendary fictional detective Sherlock Holmes. Ive done two films now with Bill Condon and were always looking for a third, says theX-Menfranchise star. Credit: Disney; Ben A. Pruchnie/Getty Images So, our third job has turned out to beBeauty and the Beast! Cogworth is a sort of a majordomo, thats his real job isnt it, yes? Hes reduced considerably in scale and probably doesnt much enjoy that....

EW has an exclusive look at stunning shots from Disney’s upcoming film Emma Watson as Belle Dan Stevens as The Beast and Emma Watson as Belle Kevin Kline as Maurice and Emma Watson as Belle Josh Gad as Le Fou and Luke Evans as Gaston Luke Evans as Gaston Cogsworth (Ian McKellen), Mrs. Potts (Emma Thompson), Lumiere (Ewan McGregor), and Plumette (Gugu Mbatha-Raw) Director/Co-Screenwriter Bill Condon With Emma Watson as Belle Beauty and the Beast On the Cover of EW For read more onBeauty and the Beast, pick up the new issue ofEntertainment Weeklyon stands Friday andsubscribefor more exclusive interviews and photos, only in EW....

If you punch links we provide, we may receive compensation. The first song in the movie is the first one Menken and Ashman wrote. Its length and multitude of singing characters was unusual for a cartoon musical, which made Ashman nervous. Disney “Howard was very reluctant to have us send it on to Disney,” Menken says. “Basically he was saying, ‘Who asked us for a seven-minute opening number? What are we thinking?...

If you select links we provide, we may receive compensation. Oh, and there’s the small matter of designing and building an entire castle. “As a story, you think, ‘Oh, that’s simple. Disney It’s a village, it’s a wood, it’s a castle,"’ Greenwood says. “It’s so complicated. Greenwood and director Bill Condon wanted their take onBeautyto feel even more luxurious and magical than ever before. Disney The designers used the1991 animated filmand Jean Cocteau’s1946 romanceas a reference, complemented with some good old-fashioned imagination....

After the success, the possibilities for the studio now seem almost limitless. After this success, the possibilities for the studio now seem almost limitless. That vision syncs up pretty well with the man who founded the place. For many audiences, these characters are Disneys superheroes, Bailey says. Marvel has Captain America, Iron Man, Thor. Disney has Belle, Cinderella, Simba. Bailey says that the studio sees every film as its own entity....

According to Bill Condon, too much has been made overBeauty and the Beasts exclusively gay moment. Can I just tell you? Its all been overblown. Credit: Disney Because its just this, its part of just what we had fun with, he said. You saw the movie, yeah? You know what I mean. Wishing to not make a big deal of it, he asked, Why is it a big deal? Its somebody whos just realizing that he has these feelings....

Beauty and the Beastis tracking as the fastest-selling family film in history, according to online ticket leader Fandango. Its looking bigger than most Disney live-action adaptations, likeThe Jungle Book,Cinderella, orMaleficent. Its presales rival those of a superhero movie. Credit: Disney (The film arrives in theaters on March 17.) PEOPLE interviewed Gad about the subject, and the actor said, This film is one of inclusiveness. Its one that has something to offer everyone....

If you select links we provide, we may receive compensation. Not unlike its magically cursed protagonist,Beauty and the Beasthastaken on several formssince its creation. Next month, the story enters a new genre: manga. Credit: TOKYOPOP Both volumes ofBeauty and the Beastgo on sale April 26. TOKYOPOP TOKYOPOP TOKYOPOP TOKYOPOP TOKYOPOP TOKYOPOP TOKYOPOP TOKYOPOP TOKYOPOP

Earlier Tuesday,Beauty and the Beaststar Luke Evans appeared onGood Morning Americato premiere a new look at Gaston, the song his villainous character of the same name performs with Josh Gads Le Fou in the live-action remake. Although the tune will sound familiar to fans of the 1991 animated classic, this version features new lyrics which incorporate alternate lines written back in the day by the late Howard Ashman who, together with Alan Menken, penned all the numbers in the original movie....

Its why we root for Nucky Thompson and Tony Montana and Francis Underwood, after all. Can something very wrong today be deemed a necessary evil years later? Is there a line? version of Jack and the Beanstalk. Im so grateful for the fantastic contributors involved, who approached the topic from some very creative angles. And I cant wait to unleashBecause You Love to Hate Meupon the world. (Cue maniacal laughter.)...