No one fights like Gaston… Douses lights like Gaston… and in the live action version of Disney’s ‘Beauty and the Beast,’ no one will play Sir Gaston except Luke Evans.
According to sources, Evans is in negotiations to play the spurned narcissistic “villain” in Disney’s next live action adaptation of an animated film. Evans is very familiar to genre fans playing the Bard in the last 2 ‘Hobbit’ films as well as the lead of Vlad in the film ‘Dracula Untold.’ He’s also played the Greek god Apollo in ‘Clash of the Titans’ as well as almighty Zeus in ‘Immortals.’ Unfortunately, where we won’t see him is as Eric Draven in the reboot of ‘The Crow’ as he decided to walk away from the role due to it still being in development hell. That move, however, may be the reason Evans is available for this role playing opposite Emma Watson who has already been cast as Belle.
If the film follows the animated version, the rather self-centered and self-absorbed Gaston – who can have any pick of his women in the village – would rather pursue the unorthodox Belle. Unfortunately, she would rather have her head in a book than swooning over someone with brawn. Of course, all this changes when Belle sacrifices herself to be imprisoned by the Beast (who is actually a handsome prince that was transformed) to save her father and ends up falling in love with her capturer (thus perpetuating the years of debate as to whether she suffered from Stockholm Syndrome).
While the past Disney fairy tale adaptions have not been musically inclined, rumor has it that this time the Mouse House will take familiar songs from the animated version and incorporate them into this film. This would be right up Evan’s alley as he does have a great set of pipes, which isn’t surprising as he started off in musical theater before making the leap to the big screen.
No word yet about who is on the short list for the Beast, but with production slated to begin later in the year, we may hear something sooner than later.
Currently, ‘Beauty and the Beast’ has no release date but once we find out, we’ll let you know!
Source: Variety
