Disney’s Beauty and the Beast broke the box office this weekend with a magical £18.4M. The movie was the 5th highest grossing three day opening of all-time and the highest grossing three day opening weekend for a PG movie.
The Saturday box office of £7.9m was the second highest grossing Saturday ever, only behind Star Wars: The Force Awakens. It was also the biggest March opening weekend of all-time and #1 opening of 2017 to date.
Emma Watson
Emma Watson & Dan Stevens talk Beauty and The Beast wrap party dance moves
At the US box office the film has taken $170m – making it the #7 debut of all time, the #1 March debut ever, and the #1 PG movie debut of all time (surpassing Finding Dory). It’s also the highest US debut ever for a Disney Live Action title. It’s the seventh Disney release to open over $150M. Saturday’s gross of $62.7M marks the #4 Saturday of all time.
Luke Evans
Luke Evans & Josh Gad tell us who SHOULD have played the roles of Gaston & Le Fou
As well as the 'gay storyline' which made headlines, the tricky subject of Stockholm syndrome was also mentioned previous to the film's release. Emma reveals that she wrestled with the idea that she'd be portraying a victim in Disney's live-action musical.
"It's something I really grappled with at the beginning: the Stockholm syndrome question. That's where a prisoner will take on the characteristics of and fall in love with the captor," Watson confessed to Entertainment Weekly.
"She has none of the characteristics of someone with Stockholm syndrome because she keeps her independence; she keeps that freedom of thought," the 26-year-old said. "I also think there is a very intentional switch where, in my mind, Belle decides to stay. She's giving him hell. There is no sense of 'I need to kill this guy with kindness.' Or any sense that she deserves this. In fact, she gives as good as she gets. He bangs on the door, she bangs back. There's this defiance that 'you think I'm going to come and eat dinner with you and I'm your prisoner—absolutely not.'"
Talking about her character's relationship with the Beast, she said: "The other beautiful thing about the love story is that they form a friendship first. There is this genuine sharing, and the love builds out of that, which in many ways is more meaningful than a lot of love stories, where it was love at first sight. They are having no illusions about who the other one is," she says. "They have seen the worst of one another, and they also bring out the best."
The movie is out now...
Now find out who's playing who in the movie...
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Emma Watson as...
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Belle
Emma Watson will lead the Beauty and The Beast cast playing the lovable, and headstrong Belle. Smart, bookish, and sassy - Emma will play the feminist Disney character to perfection. Watson told Entertainment Weekly that she refused to wear a corset under her character's iconic yellow dress because she wanted to play an "active" princess, and that a corset would restrict her movement.
Revealing the news of her casting, she said: "It was such a big part of my growing up, it almost feels surreal that I'll get to dance to 'Be Our Guest' and sing 'Something There'. My six year old self is on the ceiling - heart bursting. Time to start some singing lessons. I can't wait for you to see it. Emma xx"
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Dan Stevens as...
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The Beast
Dan Stevens will be starring as the Beast. And since his character is animated, for most part of the film Dan had to perform wearing a motion-capture suit. At least his head was not covered (can you imagine staying serious talking to a masked man)
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The Prince
Dan Stevens will be also playing the Prince, after the Beast transforms. Thankfully Disney will not withhold Dan's gorgeous-ness for the entire movie. Dan Stevens is a British actor, most famous for his role as Matthew Crawley in Downton Abbey. However, before landing the role of heir apparent Crawley in Downton, Stevens appeared in a string of theatre productions - largely directed by Peter Hall - and period TV dramas.
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Luke Evans as...
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Gaston
Luke Evans will bring Gaston to life, the arrogant most eligible bachelor of the village, who has an eye on Belle. Luke mentioned on the BAFTAs red carpet that he loved playing the handsome villain and he has seen the "finished product". Luke Evans is a Welsh actor who grew up in Pontypool, Wales, but is now a Hollywood heartthrob after his roles in Fast & The Furious and The Girl On The Train.
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Josh Gad as...
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Le Fou
We know Josh Gad will do justice to Le Fou - Gaston's hilarious side-kick. And we can confirm: he has excellent off-screen chemistry with Luke Evans. Josh is best known for his work in Frozen, playing Olaf.
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Kevin Kline as...
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Maurice
Playing Belle's father is Kevin Kline. Kevin will be performing the story of eccentric inventor Maurice, who is held against his will at the Beast's castle.
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Emma Thompson as...
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Mrs. Potts
After a sorceress puts a spell on the Prince and his servants, Mrs. Potts was turned into a teapot. The role will be performed by Emma Thompson, and we can't wait for her to sing As Old As Time.
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Ewan McGregor as...
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Lumiere
Ewan McGreggor will be voicing and bringing to life the castle's gentleman, Lumiere the candlestick, who used to be the Prince's Chef. It's not the first time the Scottish actor has sung for his supper - remember Moulin Rouge?
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Gugu Mbatha-Raw as...
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Plumette
Plumette, the featherduster, will be played by Gugu Mbatha-Raw. The British actress, who is known for roles in Black Mirror, Doctor Who, Beyond The Lights and Belle. In recognition of her body of work, she was nominated in 2015 for a BAFTA Rising Star Award.
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Ian McKellen as...
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Cogsworth
Obsessed with time, this clock used to be the Prince's butler. Starring as Cogsworth is Ian McKellen. The Hollywood heavyweight needs no introduction, but he recently reprised his role of Gandalf in The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies and can be seen next in Bill on’s Mr. Holmes.
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Audra McDonald as...
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Garderobe
Audra McDonald will be playing Garderobe, the wardrobe in Belle's room. She too used to be one of the Prince's servants. Audra will surely have some singing parts because IRL she has six Tony Awards and has recorded five solo albums.
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Stanley Tucci as...
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Cadenza
Candenza was the Prince's Court Composer who was turned into a pipe organ after the castle was put under the enchanted spell. Voicing and starring as Candenza will be Stanley Tucci (take a moment to acknowledge this awesome transformation). Stanley is a favourite of ours, especially after playing Nigel in The Devil Wears Prada.
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Hattie Morahan as... Agathe
Hattie Morahan will be playing Agathe, the enchantress that casted the spell on the Prince and his castle. And this is not Hattie's first Disney film, she also played Queen Elsemere, in Alice Through the Looking Glass.
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Adrian Schiller as... Monsieur D'Arque
Monsieur D'Arque runs the local madhouse, "Les Maison des Lunes". Along with Gaston and Le Fou he's one of the baddies in the movie. Playing Monsieur D'Arque will be Adrian Schiller, who's been in award winner Danish Girl and in the hit TV series Victoria.
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Henry Garrett as... The King
What a handsome King! Henry Garett will the playing the village's King, and the Beast's father. Henry is and upcoming actor who stars in the American TV show The Son.
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Zoe Rainey as... Belle's Mother
Zoe Rainey who will play the late mother of Belle, stepped down from the West End stage for the role.
