DVDizzy Forum

Q: You get to reprise your role [as Gaston] for the upcoming limited series. What can you tell us about the show?

Luke Evans: I keep reminding myself that next year I'm going back to work on playing a character that was one of the most enjoyable experiences of my career in a brand new story which predates the movie where you meet Gaston and LeFou many years before and you meet all these new characters which are just so cleverly written into the storyline. It's not what you're going to expect. That's what is the most exciting part. You're going to meet new people, you're going to meet new characters who are interwoven into our storylines and interwoven into the legacy of the film. You won't be able to watch just one episode. We have the crème de la crème involved in making this show. That's what's really special. I couldn't talk about this adventure without mentioning the incredible Alan Menken who is writing the music to each episode. Josh [Gad] and I have already heard several of the songs and you'll be humming them before the end of each episode. They're exactly what we hoped and wished for and Alan [Menken] has obviously delivered in bucketloads.

Fra Fee is staying in business with Disney Plus with a role in the upcoming “Beauty and the Beast” prequel series, Variety has learned exclusively.

The live-action musical series was ordered at the streamer in June 2021. It stars Luke Evans and Josh Gad, who will reprise the roles of Gaston and LeFou (Louie) respectively from the 2017 live-action “Beauty and the Beast” film. In addition, newcomer Briana Middleton will play Tilly, Louie’s stepsister. Set in the iconic kingdom of “Beauty and the Beast” years before the Beast and Belle’s romance, the series will follow Gaston and LeFou as they set off with Tilly after a surprising revelation from her past comes to light, sending the trio off on an unexpected journey.

Fee will star as Prince Benoit Berlioz, a childhood friend of Tilly’s who has grown into a handsome, charismatic, confident prince.

Jelani Alladin (The Walking Dead: World Beyond) is set as a series regular in Disney+’s upcoming Beauty and the Beast (working title) prequel series, joining previously announced Luke Evans, Josh Gad, Briana Middleton and Fra Fee.

The eight-episode limited musical series, a prequel to the 2017 live-action film, was developed and written by Gad and Once Upon a Time creators Edward Kitsis and Adam Horowitz, with the trio serving as executive producers/co-showrunners. Tony Award-nominated director Liesl Tommy (Respect, Eclipsed) executive produces and directs the pilot.

Set in the iconic kingdom of Beauty and the Beast years before the Beast and Belle’s epic romance, the series will follow Gaston (Evans) and LeFou (Gad) as they set off with LeFou’s step-sister, Tilly (Middleton), 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 harbors many secrets.

Alladin will play Jean-Michel. Charming. Cool. A talented artist who has a quick wit, a sharp intellect, and a fierce independent streak.

British pop star Rita Ora is joining Disney+’s Beauty and the Beast prequel series. Ora, who is best known for pop hits such as Your Song and Anywhere, will play a fugitive with surprising abilities who carries with her a secret that could potentially affect an entire kingdom in the eight-episode limited musical series. She joins Luke Evans and Josh Gad, who are reprising their roles as Gaston and LeFou. Briana Middleton, Fra Fee and Jelani Alladin also star.

Thanks to sources close to The DisInsider, we now know that English actress and singer Sharon D. Clarke will also appear in the series. She’ll play a series regular named Claire Lafayette. Described as a regal woman, she is the overprotective matriarch of the noble Lafayette family. Despite living life as an elite aristocrat, and wanting nothing but a stable life for her children, she has a secret. Lafayette was once a swashbuckling adventurer. At some point, her past comes back to thrust her into the series’ action. Now, in addition to Sharon D. Clarke’s casting, we can also confirm that the series will finally begin production next week. It’s expected to continue into the Spring.

Josh Gad wrote:Sadly, ‘Tis true. We tried to make it all work but under the gun it wasn’t meant to be… for now. These characters and this story will live on, but sometimes the best intentions & reality collide & nothing can be done.

Farerb wrote:This show was supposed to be a comedy right?

Deadline wrote:creative reasons, with the scripts and original music not coming together in the direction expected or running behind schedule.

blackcauldron85 wrote:Blaming the writing of the scripts, sure, but Alan Menken's work either behind schedule or "not in the right direction"?? Really?

Patricier21 wrote:Where is the source/why do you all think that Disney is placing the blame on Menkin for the postponement/possible cancellation of the series?

Farerb wrote:‘Beauty And the Beast’ Prequel Series Not Going Forward At Disney+
https://deadline.com/2022/02/beauty-and ... 234931115/

blackcauldron85 wrote:

Deadline wrote:creative reasons, with the scripts and original music not coming together in the direction expected or running behind schedule.

Jim Hill wrote:Somebody at the studio today just basically told me "Look, we're pinning our hopes right now on the live-action version of The Little Mermaid. If that's a monstrous hit in May of 2023, this will turn right on because suddenly, they'll be an interest in the music of Alan Menken and they'll be an appetite for more of Disney live-action."