A new actress just joined the cast of Disney's latest live action movie Beauty and the Beast, and she is none other than Tony Award-winning actress Audra McDonald.
The Hollywood Reporter exclusively reported that the actress is in final negotiations to join the cast of the beloved Disney classic film. She will be playing Garderobe, which is a French word for wardrobe.
She will be joining Harry Potter alum Emma Watson as Belle, Downton Abbey alum Dan Stevens as Beast, The Hobbit actor Luke Evans as Gaston, and Josh Gad, the voice behind Olaf in the animated film Frozen, will be his loyal sidekick LeFou.
Moreover, Oscar-winning Emma Thompson and Kevin Kline will be portraying Mrs. Potts and Belle's doting father Maurice, respectively. The movie will be directed by Bill Condon.
If McDonald seems familiar, then she probably is. The actress has graced not only popular stage productions, but the small screen as well. She has appeared in the television drama Private Practice and HBO's Lady Day.
However, McDonald is most recognized for her roles on stage. She was won Tony awards for her performances in Porgy and Bess in 2012 and Lady Day in Emerson's Bar and Grill in 2014. She also has Tonys for her work in A Raisin in the Sun, Ragtime, Carousel and many others.
Watson was the first to be cast in the film, and the UN Ambassadress shared the joyous news on her Facebook account: "I'm finally able to tell you... that I will be playing Belle in Disney's new live-action Beauty and the Beast! 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. I can't wait for you to see it."
While Kenneth Branagh's Cinderella, which stars Lily James and Richard Madden, was not a musical, it seems like Beauty and the Beast will be since Watson wrote: "Time to start some singing lessons."
Condon's adaptation will use most of the songs of Disney's 1991 animated film, such as "Be Our Guest" created by Alan Menken and the late Oscar winner Howard Ashman. But at the same time, they will be featuring new songs written by Menken and Sir Tim Rice, who was also responsible for songs in Aladdin and The Lion King.
The movie isslated for release on March 17, 2017.
