Another anthropomorphic cast-member has been added to Bill Condon's live action take on Disney's animated classic BEAUTY AND THE BEAST. Joining Ian McKellen as Cogsworth and Emma Thompson as Mrs. Potts will be Ewan McGregor as Lumiere the candlestick. He joins a roster of talent that already includes Emma Watson, Luke Evans, Dan Stevens, Kevin Kline, Josh Gad, and Audra McDonald.
Lumiere was one of the standout characters in the 1991 animated film. He was voiced by Broadway veteran and Law & Order icon Jerry Orbach. Ewan McGregor brings some musical talent with him as he played the lead in Baz Luhrmann's MOULIN ROUGE! I would assume that McGregor will get to perform the standout track "Be Our Guest" which has gone on to become one of Disney's most recognizable musical numbers thanks to composers Howard Ashman Alan Menken.
BEAUTY AND THE BEAST is shaping up to be Disney's biggest live action adaptation in terms of cast. There are still only a couple of roles left to fill but the major performers are now all accounted for. Hearing some of these folks belt out on the big screen should be quite the experience. I just hope the visual effects are up to the challenge.
BEAUTY AND THE BEAST is slated to hit theaters on March 17, 2017.