Meet the cast of Beauty and the Beast in 6 pics

Cape Town – Even though the much-anticipated live action version of Beauty and the Beast is scheduled to be released in April 2017, we're already counting down the days.

And we’re not the only ones who are excited the teaser trailer knocked out The Force Awakens from the number one spot. (Read more here)

The film is directed by Bill Condon and Alan Menken will do the score. 

It also boasts and all-star cast with Emma Watson and Dan Stevens as the lead.

Other cast members include: Ewan McGregor, Sir Ian McKellen, Luke Evans, Josh Gad, Emma Thompson, Kevin Kline, Gugu Mbatha-Raw and Stanley Tucci.

Disney has just released images of the key characters in costume.

Here are 6 pics of the actors transformed into their characters. 

1. Emma Watson as Belle

2. Dan Stevens as Beast

3. Kevin Kline as Maurice

4. Luke Evans as Gaston

5. Josh Gad as Le Fou

6. Ian McKellen as Cogsworth the clock, Emma Thompson as Mrs. Potts the teapot, Ewan McGregor as Lumière and Gugu Mbatha-Raw as Plumette the feather duster.

(Photos: Disney/Getty Images)