Bill Condon Charts Live Action Beauty And The Beast

THR reports that Bill Condon ("Dreamgirls") is signing on to direct a live-action re-interpretation of Beauty and the Beast" for Disney

Called "The Beast", the film will be on the darker side of the 1991 animated classic - yet still retain the big-budget fantasy elements that have made Maleficent "Alice in Wonderland" and "Oz The Great and Powerful" smash hits for the Mouse House. Live action versions of "Cinderella" and The Jungle Book are on the way as well

At last report UK writer Joe Ahearne ("Trance") was tipped to write the script.

David Hoberman and Todd Lieberman will produce the film.