Disney is ready to say “Bonjour” to movie villain Gaston once again.

In a move that highlights the studio’s ongoing commitment to reimagining its animated movies, a new live-action film is in development centred on Gaston, the brawny villain of Beauty and the Beast.

Welsh stage and screen star Luke Evans starred as Gaston in the 2017 live-action Disney movie, which starred Emma Watson.

A previous musical prequel series for Disney+, which intended to star Luke Evans and Josh Gad, was shelved.

According to Deadline, the new Gaston film will feature a completely new actor in the title role, and is being described as an “original version” with a distinctly “swashbuckling” tone.

Disney’s stage musical adaptation of Beauty and the Beast continues to be a key brand for the company. The show last appeared in the West End in 2022, at the London Palladium.

For theatre-goers, the question will be whether this new film retains the musical DNA that made the stage version so iconic, and whether a Gaston stage spin-off could make Broadway and the West End?

While plot details for Gaston remain under wraps, the hiring of Dave Callaham to pen the script suggests the movie may have lots of action! Callaham’s previous credits include recent blockbusters Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse and Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings.

Supporting the production is producer Michelle Rejwan from the Star Wars universe, having overseen projects like The Force Awakens and Andor.

An earlier draft of the script was penned by Loki director Kate Herron and Briony Redman.

Book a Disney show in London

Current Disney shows playing in London include: Disney’s The Lion King at the Lyceum Theatre; and Disney’s Hercules at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane.

Coming up in 2026 is a new Disney stage adaptation of The Greatest Showman, which premieres in Bristol in April 2026.

Sign-up for news and booking alerts about these shows and more:
Main photo: Disney's Beauty and the Beast (c) Disney Animation

Related News

See all

Latest News

See all