When is Beauty and the Beast released in the UK, who do Dan Stevens and Emma Watson play and is there a trailer?
THE live-action remake of Disney's Beauty and the Beast is released in UK cinemas today - for fans eagerly anticipating the new version of the 1991 Oscar-winning classic animation the wait is finally over.
Not that everybody is thrilled, however – the revelation that the film would include an "exclusively gay moment" led to an American Christian drive-in cinema and RUSSIA threatening to ban it.
Here is all you need to know about what looks like one of 2017's blockbuster releases:
When will Beauty and the Beast be released?
Beauty and the Beast will be released in the UK on Friday March 17 - TODAY!
Initially, fans were only given brief glimpses into Belle's world and Emma Watson's singing skills.
However, as the clock ticked towards the film's release, they were treated to a fuller, more colourful new trailer and a better look at their beloved characters:
What is Beauty and the Beast about?
Beauty and the Beast tells the tale of a beautiful and bright young woman called Belle who is taken prisoner by a Beast in his dark but enchanted castle and was written in 1740 by French author Jeanne-Marie Leprince de Beaumonth - La Belle et la Bete.
In 1991, Disney released an animated feature film based on the book and it was a global success.
It won a Golden Globe for Best Motion Picture and became the first animated film to be nominated for the same category at the 1991 Oscars, which it lost out to The Silence of the Lambs, but won two Academy Awards for Best Original Score and Best Original Song.
Who is starring in the Disney blockbuster?
This year, Disney are releasing their live-action version of their 1991 hit and it promises to be a faithful retelling of the animation, right down to the dresses Belle wears, the talking furniture and the original soundtrack.
Emma Watson (Belle)
Emma is best known for her role as Hermoine Granger in the Harry Potter movies, which she played from 2001 at the age of 11 to 2011.
Now all grown-up, she has since been seen in The Perks of Being A Wallflower, The Bling Ring and Noah.
She has also modelled for Burberry and Lancome and and a UN Women Goodwill Ambassador.
In March Emma became the latest victim of leaked “nude photos”. Her team confirmed there was a leak of images but denied the content contains nudity.
Dan Stevens (The Beast)
Dan is already a household name thanks to Downton Abbey and his role as Matthew Crawley, which was his big break.
He went on to star in Vamps, The Heiress and independent film The Guest.
Dan then starred as Sir Lancelot in Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb.
Kevin Kline (Maurice)
Oscar and Tony award winner, Kline is best known for his role in the 1988 film A Fish Called Wanda but made his big screen debut in 1982 alongside Meryl Street in Sophie's Choice.
Other notable films include Cry Freedom, Dave, The Big Chill, Chaplin, Orange County and In & Out.
Luke Evans (Gaston)
The Welsh actor shot to fame in Clash of the Titans in 2010 before starring alongside Orlando Bloom and Christoph Waltz in The Three Musketeers.
He also starred as Girion, Lord of Dale in all three Hobbit films and more recently starred with Emily Blunt in The Girl on the Train.
And playing the Beast's enchanted members of staff are Emma Thompson as the lovable teapot, Mrs. Potts, Ewan McGregor Lumiere and Ian McKellen as Cogsworth.
