If there’s a classic Disney movie you love, chances are it might have had its own Pinocchio story and been turned into a live-action remake.
Beauty and the Beast Live in Hollywood Studios
Beauty and the Beast was made into a Disney On Broadway musical, and later turned into a live-action major motion picture starring Emma Watson and Josh Gad. But, we recently learned that Disney wasn’t quite done with this story, as a live Beauty and the Beast special is coming to ABC later this year — and now we know who will be playing Belle!
Beauty and the Beast: A 30th Celebration will be live on ABC on December 15th, 2022 — but you can stream it on Disney+ the following day, December 16th! Disney has been quiet about the cast of this production until now.
According to Deadline, Grammy and Academy Award-winning singer-songwriter H.E.R. is playing Belle in the live production. The actress shared, “I can’t believe I get to be a part of the Beauty and the Beast legacy. The world will see a Black and Filipino Belle!”
© Tim Saccenti/Everett Collection via Deadline
This casting will be the first time an Afro-Filipina woman will play the role of Belle on screen. One of the directors of the show, John M. Chu, expressed his excitement in a statement and said, “With her obvious extraordinary talent and stage presence, H.E.R. is the perfect embodiment of our Belle and we are thrilled for audiences to see her in this celebration of creativity.”
©Disney
This year marks the 30th anniversary of when Beauty and the Beast became the first animated film to be nominated for Best Picture at the Academy Awards. We think this is an excellent way to celebrate, and we can’t wait to check it out!
©Disney
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H.E.R.??? Really??
How disappointing. Another pop singer doing an iconic Broadway role. Wouldn’t it have been awesome if they used as much of the original cast as they could for a 30th anniversary? And for those no longer with us (Jerry Orback, David Ogden Stiers, etc) use the original Broadway cast? Now THAT would have been innovative. But no. We get grammy winning pop singers. Yawn.
Just as with Halle Bailey portraying Ariel now, it is sad to see negative comments. I am looking forward to seeing how the singer H.E.R will do as Belle AND though she may only be on Broadway and/or on television as Belle, I would love it if Disney makes a 14 or 15 inch doll of her.