By Nicole Nalty
Ready to be enchanted by Beauty and the Beast? D23 spent some time with the cast and crew of the upcoming film this weekend, and we brought back some (spoiler-free!) stories from the stars of the film. Read on and don’t miss Beauty and the Beast in theaters March 17!
1. New Answers to Old Questions
Ever wondered how Beast became such a, well… Beast? Or what happened to Belle’s mother? So did the filmmakers behind the new live-action film. These questions led to a deeper dive into the backstory of characters like Beast, Gaston, and Belle, and created an opportunity for brand-new music. For Gaston, the new film depicts him as a war hero, which is why you can see his face in murals throughout his favorite pub.
2. Becoming Belle
Emma Watson as Belle may have been “dream casting” for fans, but it’s also a dream role for the actress. “It’s really remarkable to play someone that I’m almost sure had an influence on the woman that I’ve become,” Emma says. “I just immediately resonated with her. I was so young I didn’t even know what I was tapping into, but there’s something about that spirit—there was something about that energy—that I just knew she was my champion.” When Emma took on the role, she knew she had to stay true to that energy. Keeping that spirit in mind, Emma and the team behind Beauty and the Beast made thoughtful decisions that developed Belle’s character; “taking what was already there and expanding it,” Emma explains. Audiences will see Belle’s love of literature in the upcoming film, but Emma’s Belle takes it one step further as an activist, teaching young girls in the village to read.
3. A Beast of a Role
Bringing Beast to life was no easy task. Using a combination of physical performance capture, facial capture technology, stilts, and a prosthetics muscle suit, actor Dan Stevens (Beast) had to deliver an emotional and empathetic performance of one of Disney’s most beloved characters. Just standing up would be difficult for anyone on stilts, but Dan Stevens had to dance, too! Learning the choreography for the iconic ballroom scene is how Dan and Emma truly got to know each other, “Getting to know Emma first and foremost on the dance floor, I think, is a great way to get to know your co-star,” Dan explains. “The trust that Emma had to place in me that I wouldn’t break her toes…”
4. A Different Kind of Disney Villain
Fans of the film may argue that the true beast is the arrogant, ignorant villain, Gaston. Portrayed by Luke Evans in the upcoming film, Gaston’s history as a war hero has made him a hero to almost everyone in the poor, provincial town. Unlike more traditional Disney antagonists, Luke wanted the audience to like Gaston “a little bit” at first. “A villain shouldn’t start out as the bad guy, a villain should end up being the bad guy,” Luke explains. As the film continues, you start to see Gaston’s hatred, anger, and jealousy come through. While these traits are shared by many a Disney villain, there’s something different about Gaston. “Gaston, especially compared to other Disney villains, he has no book of spells, he has no magic powers,” Luke remarks, “He’s a human being.”
5. Horsin’ around with Josh Gad
From his impeccable comedic timing to his singing chops, there’s a lot to love about Josh Gad as LeFou. But please, don’t overlook his horseback riding. During “Belle,” the opening number of the film, Gaston and LeFou walk side-by-side on horses on their way into town. What seems like a simple task proved to be a challenge for Josh and his horse. “[My horse] was a cold-blooded killer,” Josh jokes, “He proceeded to moonwalk. He walked backwards. Then, he ran through multiple extras,” and through the village before the director called cut. “Ironically, my horse’s name was Buddy,” Josh continues, “He’s nobody’s buddy.”