One of the most prominent and popular characters from Beauty and the Beast has finally been cast. According to The Hollywood Reporter’s exclusive report, Scottish actor Ewan McGregor will play Lumiere in the live-action film adaptation!
McGregor rounds out the cast for Disney’s upcoming remake. Only a few smaller roles, like Chip and Monsieur D’Arque, have not yet been cast.
Lumiere is the romantic and flirtatious maitre d’ of the castle who becomes a candelabra because of the Beasts’s curse. It will be great to see McGregor’s witty banter with Ian McKellen (Cogsworth), especially if this film fleshes out the story as the Broadway musical did.
Like Luke Evans (Gaston), McGregor has previous singing experience (Moulin Rouge!) so we think he’ll be able to pull off the catchy “Be Our Guest”.
No need to worry about a Scotsman playing a Frenchman, either. Jerry Orbach’s outlandish French accent from the original animated film has stuck with the character, including on Broadway.
McGregor joins an all-star cast of Emma Watson as Belle, Dan Stevens as Beast, Josh Gad as LeFou, Emma Thompson as Mrs. Potts, Kevin Kline as Maurice, Audra McDonald as Madame de la Grande Bouche (the wardrobe), and the aforementioned Evans and McKellen.
Production begins this May at Shepperton Studios in London. Bill Condon directs the film which is set to hit theaters on March 17, 2017.
What do you think of Ewan McGregor as Lumiere? Are you excited for the film? Let us know in the comments!
