Oscar nominee Ian McKellen will be joining the cast of Disney's live-action adaptation of "Beauty and the Beast' to lend his voice and play the role of Cogsworth.
The "Hobbit' star will collaborate once again with Oscar winner Bill Condon, who also directed him in the British-American drama film "Gods and Monsters' and the upcoming crime drama movie "Mr. Holmes.'
Cogsworth is famously known as the Beast's loyal manservant who had been transformed into a clock, spending much of his time with Lumière the candlestick. After a curse was put on the Beast's castle, all of them were transformed into non-human characters. They can only be freed with a true love's kiss before the last remaining petal on the magic rose falls.
In the "Beauty and the Beast' story, McKellen's character also aided Beast in keeping Belle company in the castle, suggesting that the lady be lavished with 'flowers, chocolates, and promises you don't intend to keep.'
"Harry Potter' star Emma Watson has been set to play the brainy beauty whereas former "Downton Abbey' actor Dan Stevens plays the cursed prince.
Luke Evans, who starred in "The Hobbit' franchise, will play Gaston while Josh Gad, who voiced Olaf in Disney's "Frozen', has been set to play LeFou.
Other cast members include Emma Thompson as Mrs. Potts, Kevin Kline as Maurice, Audra McDonald as Garderobe, and original composer Alan Menken.
Garnering eight Oscars for his musical capabilities, Menken has already been recognized for his noteworthy efforts in other Disney films, including "Aladdin', "Pocahontas', "The Little Mermaid', "Entangled', "Enchanted' and 1991's "Beauty and the Beast.'
Filming of the "Beauty and Beast' live-action adaptation will begin on May 18 at London's Shepperton Studios as it has been scheduled for a release on March 17, 2017.
Disney's 1991 animated film version of the fairytale bagged a nomination for best picture, the first ever animated movie to be recognized in such category. Although it did not win such award, the film raked in two Oscars for musical score and song along with five Grammys and three Golden Globes. It also brought on its own Broadway musical plus over $400 million at the global box office.
With the success of fairytales-turned-movies, such as "Alice in Wonderland', "Maleficent' and "Cinderella', Disney further plans to create live-action versions of "The Jungle Book', "Winnie the Pooh', "Dumbo' and "Pinocchio.'
