It has just been announced that Disney’s live-action version of Beauty and the Beast will be released on March 17th 2017, two years from tomorrow. Seems a long time to wait, but filming won’t begin on the project until this Summer. It has also been revealed that Emma Thompson will be playing Mrs. Potts, as was rumored a couple weeks ago.

In other exciting news Alan Menken, the original composer for Disney’s 1991 animated version, will be writing the score for this version. Menken has won 8 Oscars for his work, including 2 for Beauty and the Beast. The film will feature new recordings of the original songs in addition to several new songs written by Menken and Sir Tim Rice.