Last week, Variety reported that Sir Ian McKellen would join the cast of Disney's live-action "Beauty and the Beast" — which also includes Emma Watson, Dan Stevens, Josh Gad, Luke Evans and Emma Thompson. McKellen is set to play the wise-guy grandfather clock, Cogsworth.
On Thursday morning, the 75-year-old actor took to Facebook to recap his first read-through of the film. The post captured the creative energy stirring in the London studio where the cast rehearsed.
McKellen set the scene of the run-through by describing the "Beauty and the Beast" staples of the candelabra, large clock and feather duster that sat atop a small stage the actors surrounded.
He also noted that he had a "happy reunion" with a few cast members, including Kevin Kline, whom he last saw at the 1981 Tony Awards.
McKellen's final thought is sure to resonate with Disney fans.
"All the long way home, I hummed 'Be my Guest', in which I shall get to sing a line or two. Aren’t I the lucky one?"
Gad, who plays LeFou, also took to social media to share his excitement for the film. "Can't wait for you to be our guest," he captioned an adorable cast selfie.