Live-action ‘Beauty and the Beast’ release date announced

On the heels of the live-action release of “Cinderella,” Disney announced today the live-action “Beauty and the Beast” will hit the screen on March 17, 2017.

Disney also officially announced that Dan Stevens ( who played Matthew Crawley on “Downtown Abbey”) will portray the Beast/Prince. Emma Watson (from Harry Potter fame) as already been announced as playing Belle. Luke Evans (who played Bard the Bowman in “The Hobbit”) will take on the role of Gaston.

Emma Thompson is Mrs. Potts and Kevin Kline as Belle’s father Maurice.