Disney's live-action Beauty and the Beast

[Daniel]

Briana Middleton has joined the cast.

[Daniel]

Luke Evans on the series:

You get to reprise your role [as Gaston] for the upcoming limited series. What can you tell us about the show?

Luke Evans: I keep reminding myself that next year I'm going back to work on playing a character that was one of the most enjoyable experiences of my career in a brand new story which predates the movie where you meet Gaston and LeFou many years before and you meet all these new characters which are just so cleverly written into the storyline. It's not what you're going to expect. That's what is the most exciting part. You're going to meet new people, you're going to meet new characters who are interwoven into our storylines and interwoven into the legacy of the film. You won't be able to watch just one episode. We have the crème de la crème involved in making this show. That's what's really special. I couldn't talk about this adventure without mentioning the incredible Alan Menken who is writing the music to each episode. Josh [Gad] and I have already heard several of the songs and you'll be humming them before the end of each episode. They're exactly what we hoped and wished for and Alan [Menken] has obviously delivered in bucketloads.

If any come close to "Agatha All Along" I'll be happy!

[Daniel]

‘Beauty and the Beast’ Prequel Series Delayed at Disney Plus

https://variety.com/2022/tv/news/beauty ... 235177779/

I'm shocked! Up until a few days ago there were announcements of new people joining the cast. Didn't even get the chance to report them! Well, I'm not entirely devastated, but I was curious to see how they would've made it work and the songs.

[Daniel]

Y'all remember "The Little Mermaid Live!"? Well, ABC is doing it again later this year for Beauty's 30th anniversary! Yay! Aside from a few complaints, I loved the one they did for Mermaid. It gave us Queen Latifah as Ursula, that alone was worth it! Can't wait to hear who's cast. Won't be too hard to top the remake!

[Ben]

[Randall]

Yes. So long as they cast an actual singer for Belle, we'll be okay.

[Ben]

It is bizarre that the live-action one was now half a decade ago…!

[Daniel]

H.E.R. has been cast as Belle. Not a mega fan, but I do think she has a beautiful voice.

[Daniel]

Sneak peak will be shown at D23 next month.

[Daniel]

Casting news: Josh Groban as the Beast, Joshua Henry as Gaston, and Rita Moreno as the narrator. Can we get Adele as Mrs. Potts?

[Daniel]

More casting news:

Martin Short - Lumière
Shania Twain - Mrs. Potts
David Alan Grier - Cogsworth
Rizwan Manji - Le Fou
Jon Jon Briones - Maurice
Leo Abelo Perry - Chip

Shame they didn't get Steve Martin for Cogsworth. Only Murders in the Castle!

[Randall]

Yes, could have been brilliant, though David will be fine.

Shania as Mrs. Potts?!? Well, at least she can sing!!

[Daniel]

That don't impress me much.

[EricJ]

Martin Short - Lumière

Okay, now I'm hearing B.E.N. as Lumiere:

"Be our guest, be our GUEST!...No, REALLY, I got this Martha Stewart thing going, entertaining doesn't stress me out a bit!"

[Daniel]

I just had a thought, Lumière's persona was inspired by Maurice Chevalier and twenty-four years ago Martin Short played a parody of Chevalier in the musical "Little Me". Full circle in a way.