Walt Disney Pictures had a record-breaking year at the box office in 2016, in part due to the massive blockbuster franchises under the studio's umbrella - including the Marvel Cinematic Universe as well as Star Wars. But, the Mouse House has also found massive success with its live-action adaptations of their animated classics. While some strayed from the animated films, like Maleficent and Alice in Wonderland, others remained incredibly faithful adaptations, such as Cinderella and The Jungle Book.
Both Cinderella and The Jungle Book were financial successes for Disney, in 2015 and 2016 respectively, proving there's an audience for adaptations of the studio's animated classics. Next, Disney is gearing up to debut another live-action version of an animated tale in Bill Condon's Beauty and the Beast. Transforming the beloved 1991 film, Beauty and the Beast is set to include fan-favorite characters such as Belle (Emma Watson) and the titular Beast (Dan Stevens) as well as the villainous Gaston (Luke Evans) and his right-hand man Le Fou (Josh Gad). Now, as part of the promotional lead-up to Beauty and the Beast's release, Evans and Gad will lend their charm to ABC's reality dating series, The Bachelor.
According to Sun Insider, Evans and Gad will host the Monday, January 30th episode of The Bachelor. Their appearance will coincide with the fifth episode in season 21, which follows bachelor Nick Viall as he searches for love - offering red roses to the women with which he can see a future. As reported by EW, ABC previously teamed with ESPN and the ESPN Fantasy App for an official The Bachelor Fantasy League, which is presented by Beauty and the Beast.
Considering both Beauty and the Beast and The Bachelor fall under the Disney umbrella, Evans and Gad's appearance on the reality dating series makes sense - not to mention the connection of the red roses that are integral to both the movie's story and the show's brand. Plus, given the similar themes of fairy tale love, charming suitors, and manipulative villains, there's sure to be a great deal of crossover between the audiences of The Bachelor and Beauty and the Beast.
Still, perhaps the biggest strength of Disney's live-action Beauty and the Beast is the film's cast and creative team. In addition to the four main stars, the supporting cast includes Kevin Kline as Belle's father Maurice, Ian McKellan as Lumière, Ewan McGregor as Cogsworth, Emma Thompson as Mrs. Potts, Audra McDonald as the wardrobe Garderobe, and Stanley Tucci as new character Cadenza. Additionally, Alan Menken, the composer behind the animated film's Academy Award-winning music, returned to pen new material for the live-action movie.
It's unclear whether Evans and Gad will truly take over hosting duties for The Bachelor episode - giving host Chris Harrison a week off - or whether they'll simply introduce a Beauty and the Beast themed date. Additionally, it seems likely ABC may debut a new trailer or TV spot for Beauty and the Beast to coincide with The Bachelor episode. Don't expect Beauty and the Beast to take the Deadpool-style meta marketing route, though; Beast won't be asking Belle, "Will you accept this rose?"
Next: Beauty and the Beast Triptych Poster
Source: Sun Insider [via Beauty and the Beast Movie News], EW
