Exclusive new Beauty and the Beast images hint at the Beast's backstory

The new issue of Total Film magazine features an exclusive look at Disney’s live-action remake of Beauty and the Beast, and we’ve got our hands on four new images for you to feast your eyes on before anyone else.

The record-breaking trailers have thus far hinted at a very faithful reimagining, and if the recent TV spot is anything to go by, all the musical numbers are going to be present and correct also. Emma Watson’s rendition of Belle’s classic tune is currently playing on a loop in my head...

The first two images offer a glimpse at the titular Beast’s home life (presumably in the west wing of his decrepit castle), as Emma Watson’s Belle is shown around what looks like a crib room. Is this where the former prince spent his childhood? Rather than a shot-for-shot remake, prepare yourself for some subtle embellishments, a la the recent Jungle Book remake.

Although, the Beast himself, Dan Stevens, holds the original in as much nostalgic regard as the rest of us. "The animated movie came out when I was a kid," he says. "It was really great. I think every generation has its own telling of this. It captures a lot of imaginations at once. It certainly captured mine."

And beyond that, two more images show Luke Evans’ pompous, preening Gaston doing what he does best: inciting an angry mob of villagers against the Beast in scenes hugely reminiscent of the original.

"We didn’t tone [Gaston] down," Evans confirms. "I think we did the opposite. Everything he does, he does extreme. There was no point trying to find a way to tone it down."

Directed by Bill Condon and starring Emma Watson, Dan Stevens, Luke Evans, and Ewan McGregor, Beauty and the Beast hits cinemas on March 17, 2017.

For more Beauty and the Beast interviews, plus loads more movie features and reviews, pick up the new issue of Total Film magazine - on sale January 17.

Matt Maytum is the former Editor of Total Film magazine. Over the past decade, Matt has worked in various roles for TF online and in print, including at GamesRadar+. Bucket-list-ticking career highlights have included reporting from the set of Tenet and Avengers: Infinity War, as well as covering Comic-Con, TIFF and the Sundance Film Festival.