Beauty and the Beast is a timeless, wondrous, and mesmerizing classic that has always been one of my all-time favorites over the years! It was a few years ago when I first found out that there would be a live-action version of the film. Imagine my excitement!

Last year, I was even more overjoyed when Disney released a glimpse of the upcoming live-action film in the first trailer. The first sneak peek for Disney’s upcoming adaption of Beauty and the Beast didn’t divulge many details, but that just made me long for more! Twinkling notes of Alan Menken’s hauntingly beautiful “Prologue” play in the background as the viewer is swept away into The Beast’s decrepit castle on a dark, snowy night. The castle is dusty and cobweb-ridden, indicating years of neglect; candles are flickering, and a low growl comes from the Beast as a portrait is ripped. A door slowly creaks open and Belle walks into the foreboding castle. Bickering is heard between Lumière and Cogsworth as Belle peers at the enchanted rose.

Beauty and the Beast will release in theaters everywhere on March 17th. In the meantime, I’ve been enjoying catching glimpses of everything from the costumes and casting to the hairstyles and intricate details!

Disney’s Beauty and the Beast is a live-action re-telling of the studio’s animated classic which refashions the classic characters from the tale as old as time for a contemporary audience, staying true to the original music while updating the score with several new songs. Beauty and the Beast are the fantastic journeys of Belle, a bright, beautiful and independent young woman who is taken prisoner by a beast in his castle.

Despite her fears, she befriends the castle’s enchanted staff and learns to look beyond the Beast’s hideous exterior and realize the kind heart and soul of the true Prince within.

The film stars Emma Watson as Belle. Dan Stevens as the Beast. Luke Evans as Gaston, the handsome, but shallow villager who woos Belle; Oscar® winner Kevin Kline as Maurice, Belle’s eccentric, but lovable father; Josh Gad as Lefou, Gaston’s long-suffering aide-de-camp; Golden Globe® nominee Ewan McGregor as Lumiere, the candelabra; Oscar nominee Stanley Tucci as Maestro Cadenza, the harpsichord; Gugu Mbatha-Raw as Plumette, the feather duster; six-time Tony Award® winner Audra McDonald as Madame Garderobe, the wardrobe; Oscar nominee Ian McKellen as Cogsworth, the mantel clock; and two-time Academy Award® winner Emma Thompson as the teapot, Mrs. Potts.

Directed by Oscar® winner Bill Condon from a screenplay by TBD based on the 1991 animated film, the film is produced by Mandeville Films’ David Hoberman and Todd Lieberman with eight-time Oscar-winning composer Alan Menken, who won two Academy Awards® (Best Original Score and Best Song) for the 1991 animated film, providing the score, which will include new recordings of the original songs written by Menken and Howard Ashman, as well as several new songs written by Menken and three-time Oscar winner Tim Rice.