Fans throng to ‘Beauty and the Beast’ PHL premiere

Disney fans who grew up watching the 1991 animated film “Beauty and the Beast” have a lot of reasons to celebrate this year, with Walt Disney Pictures' live-action remake of the “tale as old as time” masterpiece, starring Emma Watson as Belle and Dan Stevens portraying the tragic Prince transformed into a Beast.

Cosplayers bring Belle and the Beast to life at the "Beauty and the Beast" premiere on Tuesday. Photo: Tim G. Villasor

This fantastic story gets the real-life treatment, with brand new scenes and musical numbers added to give new ways for the fans to enjoy this fairy tale story for all generations.

On the evening of March 13 at SM Megamall’s IMAX Theater, Walt Disney Studios Philippines invited fans, press, and members of the entertainment community alike to the film's special red carpet Philippine premiere.

The festivities were heightened with the appearance of Belle and The Beast themselves, as portrayed by  cosplayers Jacqueline Ji and Gerard Sison. Toy Kingdom was also on hand with official “Beauty and the Beast” merchandise.

As one of the most anticipated live-action remakes of classic Disney animated films, following the success of "Maleficent" and "Cinderella," this adaptation of "Beauty and the Beast" will charm those who grew up with the original and enchant those who are seeing the story for the first time.

With today’s technology and special effects providing more ways to bring these timeless characters to life, the film is full of surprises as some of the best talents in Hollywood bring this magical world to life. This is one movie that doesn’t disappoint, and will serve as another benchmark for future Disney adaptations.

"Beauty and the Beast" opens in cinemas nationwide on March 16. — BM, GMA News