Here's how the cast of the live-action 'Beauty and the Beast' looks in real life (2025)

Advertisement

Emma Watson gives Belle an updated spin on the classic '90s animated character.

"We tried to make Belle more proactive and a bit more in charge of her own destiny," Watson told Entertainment Weeklyin its collector's edition guide to the film.

The new version of Belle is more practical: Her town dress has a pocket for her book. She's an inventor instead of her father, and you won't see her running around in flats.

"If you're going to ride a horse and tend your garden and fix machinery, then you need to be in proper boots," saidWatson.

Watson looks just as stunning outside of the film.

During the press tour for "Beauty and the Beast, Watson woreoutfits designed with recycled material.

Advertisement

Belle's father, Maurice, also received an update. He's no longer an inventor in the new film.

Instead, Maurice is an artist and music box maker.

While Maurice has shaggy long hair, actor Kevin Kline keeps his hair shorter in real life.

Advertisement

In the live-action movie, Gaston is a decorated war hero who will do whatever it takes to acquire Belle's hand in marriage.

The live-action adaptation makes Gaston more likable and a bit nicer than his animated counterpart.

Luke Evans is just as dashing as Gaston, even without the ponytail.

Advertisement

LeFou is Gaston's trusty sidekick, full of witty banter and sage advice.

The live-action adaptation gives new life to LeFou by making him more than a blubbering fool who fawns over Gaston. Disney has also updated LeFou by making him itsfirst openly gay character.

Actor and comedian Josh Gad brings the character to life perfectly.

You may recognize Gad's voice from "Frozen." He voiced the snowman, Olaf.

Advertisement

Director Bill Condon wanted Disney's live-action Beast to remind viewers of both the 1991 animated movie and the 1946 film from Jean Cocteau.

According to EW, visual effects producer Steve Gaub said the animators studied how different types of animals move to bring him to life, including a large dog, primate, and bear.

34-year-old Dan Stevens, who is also currently starring in FX's "Legion," is a little easier on the eyes.

Stevens shot his scenes twice to capture the Beast.Heacted on set wearing stilts and a prosthetic muscle suit with a bodysuit over it so his movements could be tracked. Afterwards, he filmed facial capture separately to perfect the Beast's onscreen look.

Advertisement

Cogsworth is the Beast's head butler who gets turned into a mantel clock.

Cogsworth's human costume includes buttons that have Roman numerals like the numbers on the clock.

That's Sir Ian McKellen underneath that fancy wig and mustache.

McKellen worked with director Bill Condon in previous films including "Mr. Holmes."

Advertisement

His bickering buddy Lumiere was the Prince's French valet before he was turned into a sassy candelabra.

Lumiere'shairstyle was inspired by the design of the candlestick, according to Disney.

Advertisement

Unlike his candelabra counterpart, Ewan McGregor currently doesn't have any hair.

He recently shaved it all off for a dual role he's playing in FX's "Fargo."

McGregor told Stephen Colbert recently he has never seen the 1991 animated movie. He didn't want it to inform how he would play the role.

Advertisement

His love interest, Plumette, is one of the castle's maids. She becomes a feather duster.

Production designer Sarah Greenwood told EW the handle is a bird so she can fly.

Gugu Mbatha-Raw has appeared in a lot of TV shows and movies, including "Doctor Who" and "Jupiter Ascending."

Advertisement

Mrs. Potts is the housekeeper who becomes a teapot and helps keep the Beast in line.

Angela Lansbury made the character iconic in the animated film.

British actress Emma Thompson usually wears her hair straight instead of up in curls.

This is the second role she has taken on from Lansbury. The other one was the baker from "Sweeney Todd," Mrs. Lovett.

Advertisement

Chip plays her son, who gets transformed into an adorable teacup.

Newcomer Nathan Mack plays the spunky china.

Advertisement

One of two new characters we'll see in the film is Madam Garderobe, an Italian opera singer who becomes a wardrobe.

Garderobe is an updated version of the wardrobe that appears in the animated movie.

Six-time Tony Award and Emmy winner Audra McDonald brings the character to life.

Advertisement

Her husband is Maestro Cadenza, who is turned into a harpsichord.

If he looks familiar, that's because it's master of disguises Stanley Tucci, who wore some colorful wigs in the "Hunger Games" franchise.