Jon M. Chu is set to produce a live production of Beauty and the Beast. The production will be broadcast live on ABC in December.
Over the past few years, major television networks have been broadcasting live versions of movie musicals. In 2016, Fox did Grease Live! and NBC did a live version of Hairspray.
In 2019, ABC partnered with Disney to produce The Little Mermaid Live! The musical was directed by Hamish Hamilton. Hamilton will direct this year’s live production of Beauty and the Beast, with Chu as an executive producer, The Hollywood Report reports.
The live version is meant to honor the 30th anniversary of the animated film’s 1992 Oscar nomination. According to Collider, the production will present the film alongside never-before-seen musical performances.
“Beauty and the Beast is a timeless story and we’re so fortunate to work with creative mastermind Jon M. Chu and veteran director Hamish Hamilton to bring a modern twist to this beloved classic for an unforgettable night of Disney magic,” said Craig Erwich, president, Hulu Originals and ABC Entertainment in a statement to The Hollywood Reporter. “Stacked with unforgettable performances, this will be a must-see special event for fans of the original and for the new generation being introduced to this cherished tale.”
Chu announced his producer role on Twitter, recounting how he watched the film three times when it was first released.
The live production will air on ABC on Thursday, December 15 from 8 p.m.-10 p.m. ET. It will be available for streaming on Disney+ the next day.
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