Disney+ Orders Live-Action Gaston & LeFou ‘Beauty and the Beast’ Series With Luke Evans, Josh Gad & Briana Middleton
Disney+ has officially ordered a limited musical series that will see Luke Evans and Josh Gad reprise their ‘Beauty and the Beast’ roles as Gaston and LeFou, alongside Briana Middleton who will play LeFou’s stepsister, Tilly.
Set in the iconic kingdom of ‘Beauty and the Beast’ years before the Beast and Belle’s epic romance, the series will follow Gaston and LeFou as they set off with LeFou’s stepsister, Tilly, after a surprising revelation from her past comes to light, sending the unlikely trio off on an unexpected journey filled with romance, comedy, and adventure. While the mysteries of the past are uncovered and the dangers of the present grow, old friends and new enemies reveal that this familiar kingdom harbours many secrets.
“For anyone who’s ever wondered how a brute like Gaston and a goof like LeFou could have ever become friends and partners, or how a mystical enchantress came to cast that fateful spell on the prince-turned-beast, this series will finally provide those answers… and provoke a whole new set of questions,” commented Gary Marsh, president and chief creative officer, Disney Branded Television.
The series, currently under the working title of ‘Beauty and the Beast’, is developed, executive-produced and written by Gad, Edward Kitsis and Adam Horowitz (‘Once Upon a Time’), each serving as a co-showrunner. The series’ creative team also includes Tony Award-nominated director Liesl Tommy (‘Eclipsed’, ‘Respect’), who has come on board as an executive producer and will direct the first episode. The project will feature an original soundtrack from the EGOT Award-winning composer Alan Menken, who will also serve as executive producer, and lyrics for the first episode will be by Oscar-nominee Glenn Slater (‘Tangled’).
“There are few more precious gems in the Disney library than this iconic franchise, and this prequel is both a love letter to what’s come before and its own spectacular adventure,” adds Jonnie Davis, president, ABC Signature. “Josh, Eddy and Adam’s vision gives us a window into the origin of Luke’s Gaston and Josh’s LeFou with the twist of a new partner in crime – Tilly, played by the luminous Briana Middleton. This dream team would not be complete without the genius Alan Menken returning to write even more glorious music for the franchise he helped create. We’re so grateful to Gary, Ayo, Michael and everyone at Disney Branded Television and Disney+ for their unwavering support. We cannot wait to start shooting.”
Briana Middleton is a relative newcomer, although has recently appeared in ‘The Tender Bar’, an upcoming coming-of-age film directed by George Clooney, starring Ben Affleck, Tye Sheridan, Lily Rabe and Christopher Lloyd. She is currently shooting ‘The Last Will and Testament of Charles Abernathy’ for Netflix.
For three decades, this tale as old as time has inspired generations of fans around the world,” stated Michael Paull, president, Disney+ and ESPN+. “We can’t wait to welcome our guests back to the magical and musical world of “Beauty and the Beast” for an all-new chapter with LeFou, Gaston, and a fantastic new cast of characters.
‘Beauty and the Beast’ (working title) will begin production in Spring 2022.
