Disney is putting together a star-studded cast for the upcoming ABC Beauty and the Beast television special, which will air December 15 on ABC and Disney+ the following day.
According to Variety, Grammy winner Josh Groban will play the Beast, recording artist H.E.R. will play Belle, Joshua Henry as Gaston, country legend Shania Twain will play Mrs. Potts, with Martin Short and David Alan Grier playing Lumiere and Cogsworth respectively. Rita Moreno is set to narrate the special.
The special titled Beauty and the Beast: A 30th Celebration will feature never-before-seen musical performances, new sets, and costumes inspired by the classic story. Each performance, ABC says, will pay homage to the original animated favorite while also adding to its iconic story. Songs from the original animated classic will be performed in front of a live audience at Disney Studios.
Jon M. Chu (In The Heights) will serve as executive producer, while Hamish Hamilton (2020’s The Disney Family Singalong) will direct.
Beauty and the Beast: A 30th Celebration is executive produced by Chu, who currently has an overall deal at Disney, and Hamilton’s Done and Dusted Productions, Walt Disney Television Alternative, Caitlin Foito, Raj Kapoor, Richard Kraft, and Katy Mullan.
