There has been another new addition to the cast of Disney’s live-action BEAUTY AND THE BEAST: Two-time Oscar nominee Sir Ian McKellen, who will play Cogsworth.
Variety first reported that THE HOBBIT star is set to reunite with Oscar winner Bill Condon, who directed him in GODS AND MONSTERS as well as this year’s MR. HOLMES.
Emma Watson, who will be playing Belle in the movie, was quick to take to Twitter to welcome McKellen into the casting fold:
Cogsworth is the Beast’s elegant butler who was transformed into a clock, and spends the bulk of his time with maître d’ Lumière.
The character is very important within the film as he helps to secure the fate of the Beast and is almost like his romance coach, suggesting he lavish Belle with ‘flowers, chocolates, and promises you don’t intend to keep.‘
The popular Brit will also be joined by another star from THE HOBBIT, Luke Evans. The DRACULA UNTOLD star will reunite with McKellen as he plays the adorable Gaston.
Of course, there is no Beauty without the Beast and he will be played by former DOWNTOWN ABBEY star Dan Stevens who plays the cursed, formerly arrogant prince.
Watson also took to Twitter and Facebook to announce her own participation and welcome Stevens and Evans into their casting roles over the last couple of months:
Also joining the great cast lineup are Emma Thompson as Mrs. Potts, Kevin Kline as Maurice, Audra McDonald as Garderobe, and original composer Alan Menken.
BEAUTY AND THE BEAST will begin production May 18th at Shepperton Studios in London for a March 17th, 2017 release.
