FIRST LOOK at the 'Beauty and the Beast' Special Coming to ABC and Disney+

Can you believe that Beauty and the Beast is OVER 30 years old?!

The movie was released back in 1991 and this year a 30th Anniversary special is coming to ABC to celebrate the film’s success in becoming the first animated movie to receive an Academy Award nomination for best picture. We’ve already learned some about the casting for the special but now we’ve got a FIRST LOOK at some of the stars that you’ll be able to see!

Disney has shared a FIRST LOOK at Beauty and the Beast: A 30th Celebration through the release of a poster for the special. On the poster, you can see the animated version of Belle next to H.E.R. in a golden outfit (giving us major Belle vibes with a modern twist). H.E.R. will be playing Belle in the live-action portion of the special.

Also included in the poster is the animated version of The Beast with Josh Groban next to the Beast’s image in a dark suit with a beautiful blue cape on, reminiscent of the Beast’s cape in the film. He will be playing the Beast in this special.

The special will air on ABC on December 15th and then be available to stream the next day on Disney+. For those unfamiliar with it, the special will be part animated film, part live-action “spectacle.” It is being directed by Hamish Hamilton (who also directed The Little Mermaid Live on ABC) and executive produced by Jon M. Chu (director of In The Heights).

There will be new musical performances, new sets and costumes, and songs from the original movie performed in front of a live studio audience. Other names that have been mentioned in relation to the special include Martin Short and Shania Twain.