'Beauty and the Beast', interview with screenwriter Evan Spiliotopoulos

Beauty and the Beast is Bill Condon's film with Emma Watson. It's the movie that has grossed more in 2017, along with Star Wars: The Last Jedi. Evan Spiliotopoulos tells how he wrote the screenplay.
Evan will write and direct the movie from the James Herbert horror novel, Shrine.

D. You wrote “Beauty and the Beast”.  How did you approach the story and what was the most difficult time?

A. Our first goal, since we were making a live action film, was to ground the story in reality. We researched the social conditions and historical context in 1740s France and introduced elements such as Gaston being a soldier and Maurice being a music box maker instead of inventor based on the real conditions and traditions at the time.
Our biggest challenge was walking a fine line between introducing new material and enhancing existing material with not losing the brilliant characters and plot that made the animated movie a masterpiece. We had to be respectful of the original work and what the audience expected while putting our own touch on the material. 

Look at the Gallery: Beauty and the Beast

D. In the film there is a time when Belle returns in the past, and she discovers that her mother is dead of plague. How did you insert this detail?

A. In the animated film, all we know is that Belle's mother passed away before the story began. We asked ourselves how this would have affected Maurice, could this be why he sought refuge in the quaint provincial town of Villeneuve and how the mother's memory molded Belle's character. In 1720, Paris was afflicted by a small pox epidemic which we turned into a plague in our script. It was appropriate chronologically. Also in the original fairy tale, the Beast has a magic glove that transports him places. We changed it to the more cinematic magic map and found a way for Belle to learn about her mother's fate. 

D. The film was very successful. What could be the reason of the success?

A. Two reasons. It is a very good film with lovely sings and great performances. And it also talked into a love and nostalgia the audience held for the animated film. Disney knows how to make these movies, they always come with a sprinkling of fairy dust that enchants.

Beauty and the Beast

Q. What is your favorite book and movie?

A. My favorite book is The Talisman by Stephen King and Peter Straub. I read it when I was sixteen and it bridged young fantasy with adult fantasy for me. It really spoke to teenage angst and put a young character in the heart of a violent adult adventure. In terms of movie, I have about 200 that I love in one way or another. Doctor Zhivago for its sense of sweeping epic romance, Lawrence of Arabia for its sense of adventure, The Exorcist for its terror, Brazil for its visual brilliance. There are so many. 

Q. What is your favorite animal?

A. Ha!  I'm a cat person. Love all animals but I have two cats and I guess I'm attracted to their grace and elegance as well as their independence. 

Q. What about your hobbies? 

A. In terms of my day, when I am working I concentrate fully on writing the first draft just to get it out of my system. When I have free time, I travel. Also o am gradually learning to cook. 

© All right Reserved