For all of the gripes and groans from Disney fanatics and critics alike—this one included—it’s impossible to ignore the fact that the iconic studio’s business decision to return to their well of animated classics and remake them in live-action form is a brilliant one. Its most recent reincarnation, Jon Favreau’s The Jungle Book, is both a commercial hit and a relative critical success, as have been some of the films that have come before it, like Maleficent and Cinderella. (Tim Burton’s Alice in Wonderland films may be hits, but are hardly considered to actually be good.)
Coming in March 2017 is Beauty and the Beast, starring Emma Watson as Belle. The first teaser, just released, isn’t really all that interested in our heroine, however, instead focusing on that other iconic “character” from the original—yes, the gorgeous and majestic enchanted castle. The camera swoops throughout the many familiar rooms and hallways, most notably, the ballroom where Belle and the Beast shared that memorable dance, and the biggest takeaway is that this remake, much like the others, is going to be really, really heavy on the CGI effects.
The only thing that appears to be real here is a brief glimpse of Watson, who arrives at the end to have a look at the symbolic red rose. Also featured are the voices of Lumiere (Ewan McGregor) and Cogsworth (Ian McKellan)—they will presumably be in CGI form as well once we see them on screen. The rest of the cast is just as impressive: Emma Thompson (Mrs. Potts), Josh Gad (Le Fou), and Audra McDonald (Garderobe, the bubbly armoire) also star.
