Was Regis Philbin originally considered for the voice of The Beast in Beauty And The Beast?

[DodgerGirl]

I was listening to the commentary of the Beauty And The Beast Special Edition DVD and I learned that when they were auditioning for The Beast Regis Philbin was originally gonna provide the voice of The Beast but they ultimately chose Robby Benson instead. I never knew that Regis Philbin would audition to play The Beast and I wonder how Beauty And The Beast would have been with Regis Philbin providing The Beast's voice? Probably funny in my eyes

 

[maverik85]

Yea I can't imagine Regis's voice coming out of the Beast and have it be taken seriously. If he was their top choice at one point I'm glad they shifted away. I think it would have come off way too comedic and don't think the movie would be viewed as highly as it is because of it.
The one exception is if he is able to do a good character voice that is deeper and more serious that could work, but I've just never witnessed him doing other voices than his own.