Film Music Reporter

Walt Disney Pictures has announced today that Alan Menken will be providing the score for the upcoming live action adaptation of Beauty and the Beast. The film will also feature new original songs co-written by the composer and Sir Tim Rice, as well as new recordings of the songs from the 1991 animated classic that Menken penned with Howard Ashman. The live action version will be directed by Bill Condon (Dreamgirls, Kinsey, The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn) and is set to star Emma Watson and Dan Stevens in the title roles. Luke Evans will portray Gaston, Emma Thompson will star as Mrs. Potts and Kevin Kline as Belle’s father, Maurice. Josh Gad has been cast to play Lefou. Stephen Chbosky (The Perks of Being a Wallflower) is writing the screenplay. Mandeville Films’ David Hoberman & Todd Lieberman (The Muppets, The Fighter, The Proposal) are producing the project. Menken has received his third and fourth Academy Award for his music for the animated film. Beauty and the Beast is scheduled to be released on March 17, 2017.