In recent years, Disney has taken to creating live action films of the classic fairytales we know and love. Cinderella (2015) and Maleficent (2014) are examples of movie adaptations already completed. Scheduled for release this march is the long awaited Beauty and the Beast, Directed by Bill Condon, featuring the film stars Emma Watson as Belle and Dan Stevens as the Beast. Both of the original animation voice actors for the two characters voiced their approval of the new live action fairytale actors.
When the idea for the live action adaption was first brought up by Condon, Disney was not sure about making it a musical like the first animated film in 1991. Condon’s response to the subject was taken seriously.
“With all due respect, I think you’re crazy,” Condon said. “The songs are too good. You’re going to spend all this time making a huge, gorgeous live-action ‘Beauty and the Beast’ and not do ‘Be Our Guest’?”
Filming for the movie was completed on Aug. 27, 2015, which adds up to more than 18 months of waiting for the movie’s eventual release. As of recently however, the final movie trailer was revealed to the public.
The first teaser trailer alone, according to Disney holds the most views over the first 24 hours for any movie’s teaser. It surpassed both Star Wars and Captain America: Civil War, the previous record holders, with 91.8 million views.
The final trailer features the iconic yellow dress worn by Belle (Watson) in the ballroom with the Beast (Stevens). A new addition is the version of Tale as Old as Time sung by Ariana Grande and John Legend. This trailer surpassed its previous record with 127.6 million views in the first 24 hours after being revealed. Again it exceeded previous record holders, Fifty Shades Darker and Star Wars, for most views in the first 24 hours for an official movie trailer.