Gad, who also voiced lovable snowman Olaf in Disneys hit animated feature "Frozen," is in final negotiations to play Le Fou, the sidekick to handsome villain Gaston.

As previously reported, Emma Watson ("Harry Potter") will star as Belle, with "Downtown Abbey" star Dan Stevens slated to play the Beast. Also reported to be joining the film are Luke Evans ("The Hobbit," "Dracula: Untiold") as Gaston and and potentially Emma Thompson as Mrs. Potts.

Bill Condon, who directed the film adaptation of the musical Dreamgirls and penned the screenplay for the film adaptation of Chicago, will direct the film. Production is slated to begin later this year.

The live-action film will feature a script by Stephen Chbosky. David Hoberman and Todd Lieberman produce.

The 1991 animated film of "Beauty and the Beast" won Academy Awards for Best Music, Original Song and Best Music, Original Score. The 1994 Broadway stage adaptation was nominated for nine Tony Awards, winning for Costume Design (Ann Hould-Ward).

Beauty and the Beast features music by Alan Menken, with lyrics by the late Howard Ashman and Tim Rice.