Neil Patrick Harris, feeling 'Beastly' after Tonys?

June 8, 6:21 PMBooks on Film ExaminerConnie Ann Kirk

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Actor and host of the show, Neil Patrick Harris arrives at the 63rd annual
Tony Awards in New York, Sunday, June 7, 2009. (AP Photo/Peter Kramer)
 

Neil Patrick Harris may be feeling a little "Beastly" after hosting The American Theater Wing Tony Awards Sunday night. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the actor is scheduled to star in a supporting role in a new film based on Alex Flinn's novel of the same title. The movie is now in pre-production in Montreal.

Beastly is a contemporary re-telling of the classic Beauty and the Beast story.  The movie will be directed by Daniel Barnz, who also adapted the screenplay.  Also starring with Harris are Vanessa Hudgens of High School Musical fame; Mary-Kate Olsen of the acting duo Mary-Kate and Ashley (the Olsen twins), and actor, Alex Pettyfer.

In the novel, a spoiled high school freshman, Adrian, (played by Pettyfer) treats girls badly and learns the consequences of his actions when one girl turns him into a hideous creature. Similar to the folk tale, in order to change back, the monster must find true love. In the film, Harris will play a blind teacher who works to help Adrian come to grips with his new situation. 

The book has the tag line, "Ever wonder what it was like for the Beast?" Beastly, the film, is scheduled to be released July 30, 2010.

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