Disney is developing a new live-action spin-off movie, Gaston, based on the iconic villain from the 1991 fairy tale Beauty and the Beast.
As reported by Deadline, the film will be written by David Callaham (Shang Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire), although the project’s director and further plot details have yet to be locked down. Luke Evans (Dracula Untold), who portrayed the character in the 2017 live-action Beauty and the Beast film, will not reprise his role, with the studio reportedly planning a new take on the character, with the film set to have “swashbuckling” tones to it.
Based on a French fairy tale, the original Beauty and the Beast film was released in 1991 and became Disney’s most successful animated title at the time. The story centred around a girl named Belle who ends up living with a prince who had been transformed into a monster, who must earn Belle’s love before the last petal falls from his enchanted rose, or he would remain a beast forever.
Gaston, who was voiced by Richard White in the animated film, is an arrogant hunter known for his hulking frame and constant advances towards Belle. Gaston’s self-absorbed nature led to the classic self-titled song, where the townsfolk and the man himself sing about his achievements, leading the phrase “No one [verb]s like Gaston” becoming the character’s catchphrase.
Disney would go on to produce a live-action version of the film in 2017, starring Emma Watson (Harry Potter film franchise) as Belle, Dan Stevens (Legion) as the Beast, and Evans as Gaston. Following the film’s US$1.26 billion global box office, there were plans to create a TV series surrounding the iconic villain, with Evans set to reprise his role, but this was eventually scrapped.
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