Disney is set to release a live-action movie reimagining of the classic film “Beauty and the Beast” on Mar. 17 of this year.

Few films in recent history have captured the hearts and imaginations of audiences around the world as fully as Walt Disney Picture’s “Beauty and the Beast.” The original animated feature released in November of 1991 to critical acclaim and huge box office success. It became the first animated film to receive a nomination for Best Picture at the Academy Awards, and won Oscars for Best Original Score and for its title song, “Beauty and the Beast.”

The film follows the story of Belle, a beautiful and intelligent young woman stuck in a “poor, provincial town” and deemed odd by her fellow townspeople for her love of reading. She agrees to take her father’s place as prisoner of an enchanted castle owned by a hideous beast.

The castle was cursed by an Enchantress as punishment for the Beast’s unkindness, a spell that can only be broken if he learns to love another, and earns her love in return. With the help of the castle’s lively cast of enchanted objects, Belle learns to see past the Beast’s outward ugliness, for the true beauty that she finds within.

Since its release, “Beauty and the Beast” has inspired several spin-off movies, and became the first Disney Feature Film to be adapted as a Broadway musical.

Rumors have circulated about a possible movie version of the Broadway adaptation since 2009, but hints of a live action remake of the original animated film began to surface on social media in 2014. These hopes were confirmed when Emma Watson announced she would take on the role of Belle January of last year.

“It almost feels surreal that I’ll get to dance to ‘Be Our Guest’ and sing ‘Something There’. My six-year-old self is on the ceiling – heart bursting. Time to start some singing lessons. I can’t wait for you to see it,” Watson said on Facebook on Jan. 26.

Further casting announcements revealed that Dan Stevens of Downton Abbey plays the frightening but gentle Beast, and Kevin Kline will take on the role of Maurice, Belle’s lovable but scatterbrained father.

Oscar winning actress Emma Thompson joined the cast as the caring teapot Mrs. Potts, followed by renowned actor Sir Ian McKellen as the pompous clock, Cogsworth. Ewan McGregor voices Lumiere, the debonair candlestick, and Tony-winner Audra McDonald will supply the opera vocals for Garderobe.

British actor Luke Evans will play the handsome, arrogant Gaston. Josh Gad, known for voicing Olaf in Disney’s “Frozen” will play his sidekick, Lefou, and Stanley Tucci will originate the role of grand piano Cadenza, a new character in the franchise.

Glimpses of the new movie were scant until May of 2016, with the release of a short teaser trailer featuring a brief but breathtaking shot of Watson peering over the iconic Enchanted Rose.

A full, official trailer released this past November, around the 25th anniversary of the animated film’s premiere. It opens on a sweeping shot of the deserted, beautiful castle and treats audiences to the first glimpses of the famed enchanted objects. They sport new, intricate CGI designs that fans of the original may at first dislike. However, the film itself reminds us not to judge by appearances.

Watson makes a stunning Belle, and the official trailer teases audiences with shots of both her classic blue and yellow dresses. If that was not enough, the newest promo of the film—released on Jan. 8—provides a taste of Watson’s singing voice. Even the Beast, whose CGI animation can make even the deepest fan nervous, is a perfect complement of the original animation.

Perhaps what makes this story a “tale as old as time” is its theme on compassion, which teaches us that a person’s character should be judged by action, and not outward beauty. The new live-action “Beauty and the Beast” will continue to delight audiences, as the original has for over 25 years.