Grande, 23, shared a picture from the recording studio on Wednesday where the unlikely duo have recorded an all-new version of the titular track for the film which opens in Australia on March 23.

Beauty and the Beast was written in 1991 for the classic animated version and was originally sung by actress Angela Lansbury, who provided the voice of Mrs Potts.

It was re-recorded by Celine Dion and Peabo  Bryson for the Beauty and the Beast soundtrack and won an Academy Award, Grammy and Golden Globe.

The picture of Grande in the recording studio, which she captioned with a red rose - a nod to the movie's iconic enchanted rose - was liked nearly 1 million times by fans excited about the duet.

According to Billboard, the new rendition of the song will be produced by Ron Fair and Disney's soundtracks chief Mitchell Leib, who worked together on the Pretty Woman soundtrack.

Leib reportedly handpicked Grande and Legend to perform the duet. Legend's latest film role is as a musician friend of Ryan Gosling's in the hugely successful La La Land.

An accompanying music video will be produced by director Dave Myers, who has won 11 MTV Video Music Awards after working with the likes of Missy Elliot, Jay Z, David Guetta, Britney Spears, The Notorious B.I.G. and Pink.

The selection of Grande and Legend follows a long tradition of pop stars being used in both Hollywood blockbusters and Disney films alike.

Taylor Swift and former One Directioner Zayn Malik teamed up to record a theme song for the Fifty Shades of Grey sequel out next month while Elton John recorded Can You Feel the Love Tonight? from 1994's Lion King.

Grande has been nominated for four Grammys while 38-year-old John Legend has won 10 Grammys, one Golden Globe and an Oscar.