The first footage from Disney's upcoming live-action reboot of "Beauty and the Beast" debuted at the D23 expo this weekend, and it apparently stunned attendees. Unfortunately for average fans, if you didn't snag a ticket to the event, you won't be able to see it for yourself.

Despite Disney declining to put the footage up online (so far, anyway), some savvy internet commenters have helped fill in the blanks for those who couldn't witness "Beauty" (and the first look at its titular star, Emma Watson) in person. And it seems like the flick will almost certainly live up to the hype.

According to a member of the Broadway World message board, who was there for the presentation, "everything I've seen from BATB looks stunning, including Emma in the dress." ("The dress" being the famous gold frock that Belle wears during her romantic dance with the Beast in the latter half of the film.) The commenter continued:

The crowds went wild for it. The set, visuals, costumes, etc. were beautiful. No footage of the objects or the beast.

Another eyewitness report, from TooFab, offers even more details about the footage, and the film in general:

Though nearly done filming, there wasn't any complete footage shown from this one -- save for a shot of Emma Watson as Belle in her now infamous gold dress, coming down the stairs to dance with the Beast. Let us just say that she looked GORGEOUS and seeing that moment brought to life brings chills.

In some behind-the-scenes footage shown, we got a look at the village set, which looks almost exactly like it did in the animated film. Belle is seen in her blue and white dress as well, while Gaston (Luke Evans) can be seen singing and dancing around a bar in his famous red costume and long ponytail. Sorry, nothing with the Beast in it just yet.

The crowd was told that the final film will include two new songs from Alan Menken.

It's great knowing that filmmakers are so closely incorporating the look of the 1991 original, in everything from the sets to the costumes (anyone else just dying to see that gold dress already?). And Alan Menken's involvement will almost certainly guarantee that "Beauty" earns a Best Original Song nomination at the Academy Awards, too.

We'd love to see the D23 stuff for ourselves, but if we have to wait, it's comforting to know that it will be well worth it.

"Beauty and the Beast" is due in theaters on March 17, 2017.

[via: Broadway World, TooFab]

Photo credit: Getty