Two-Time Tony Winner Kevin Kline Joins Disney's Beauty and the Beast, Release Date Set

Kevin Kline will love Emma Watson no matter what! The two-time Tony and Oscar winner is set to play Belle’s (Watson) Dad in Disney’s upcoming live-action Beauty and the Beast. According to The Wrap, the studio has also confirmed that the previously speculated Emma Thompson will join the cast as Mrs. Potts and that the movie is scheduled for release on March 17, 2017.

Kline won Tonys for his performances in The Pirates of Penzance and On the Twentieth Century. Other Broadway credits include Cyrano de Bergerac, Henry IV, The Play What I Wrote and Arms and the Man. He was awarded the Oscar for A Fish Called Wanda and his screen credits include Sophie’s Choice, The Big Chill, Silverado, Dave, The Ice Storm, In & Out and De-Lovely.

Directed by Bill Condon, the cast will also feature Dan Stevens as the Beast/Prince and Luke Evans as the villain Gaston. Josh Gad is in negotiation to take on the role of Lefou. The movie will include music from the original animated film along with additional songs penned by Alan Menken and Tim Rice.