‘Beauty and the Beast’ has become the highest grossing live-action musical of all time.
The Bill Condon-directed film, which stars the likes of Emma Watson and Dan Stevens, has proven to be an incredible box office success and has already earned $690 million worldwide, making it the most successful live-action musical ever.
And with enthusiasm for the Disney movie barely waning since its release earlier this month, industry experts have predicted ‘Beauty and the Beast’ will have made as much as $1 billion within the next three to four weeks.
The new movie has overtaken its nearest competitor ‘Grease’ to claim the crown, while other films on the list include ‘Les Miserables’ and ‘Chicago’.
But despite the overwhelming success of the movie, Disney recently confirmed there won’t be a sequel.
Walt Disney’s Head of Production Sean Bailey explained that a spin-off movie or prequel is more likely, if the studio decides it wants to revisit the money-spinning franchise.
Sean said: "There are currently no plans for a sequel and the studio won’t try to force one. It will explore possible spin-off and prequel scenarios."
The Disney executive also said the casting of Emma Watson in the role of Belle was down to the way she embodies an "empowered character" in her real life through her activism with the United Nations.
He previously said: "We knew we wanted Belle to be a more empowered character, an ambitious, innovator version of the ’91 film.
"Emma embodied those things in her own life and it showed in her performance. Alan had the very long relationship with her from the Harry Potter films, and very early on he spoke about her traits, her activism, her work with the UN."
Beauty and the Beast becomes highest grossing live-action musical
