First trailer for upcoming live action Beauty and the Beast released (VIDEO)

Illustrated rainbow pride flag on a pink background.

The film star Sir Ian McKellen, Emma Watson and Luke Evans.

The first trailer for the upcoming Beauty and the Beast live action remake has been officially released.

Fans get a sneak peak of the castle and a brief glimpse at Harry Potter star Emma Watson in her role as Belle.

Downton Abbey’s Dan Stevens also stars as the Beast, with gay actor Luke Evans as the villain of the piece, Gaston.

Emma Thompson will play kindly cook Mrs Potts, Ewan McGregor will star as Lumiere and Sir Ian McKellen will feature as pompous butler Cogsworth.

Dreamgirls director Bill Condon’s will take on the classic fairy tale, which is set to feature numbers from the 1991 Oscar-nominated film and its Broadway adaptation.

Watson recently announced that she is taking a year off acting to focus on feminist activism.

The actor – best known for playing Hermione in the Harry Potter film series – also said she wants to focus on “personal development”.

Last year, the star used a series of shocking statistics to expose the sexism that still exists in Hollywood.

She was also praised Rugby League player Keegan Hirst, after he came out as gay.

Take a look at the new trailer below: