New Gaston Spin-Off Moves Forward Without Luke Evans

Disney is developing a new live-action spin-off film centered on Gaston, the antagonist from "Beauty and the Beast", as one of its next major live-action projects. According to industry reports, the project is in early development and is being positioned as a villain-focused expansion of Disney’s live-action universe.

Screenwriter Dave Callaham, known for his work on "Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings" for Marvel Studios and "Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire", has been tapped to write the script. Plot details have not yet been disclosed, and Disney has not formally announced casting, a director, or a release timeline.

However, multiple entertainment outlets report that Luke Evans, who portrayed Gaston in Disney’s 2017 live-action "Beauty and the Beast" opposite Emma Watson, is not expected to reprise the role in the new spin-off. A report syndicated via Just Jared and based on coverage from Deadline and The Wrap notes that the project is intended as a fresh take on the character and that recasting is anticipated.

The announcement follows the cancellation of a previously planned Disney+ musical prequel series that would have focused on Gaston and LeFou, with Luke Evans and Josh Gad set to reprise their roles from the 2017 film. That series, developed for Disney+ and reported under the working title "Little Town", was shelved in 2022 after Disney and the creative team cited scheduling and creative issues.

At the time, Josh Gad publicly expressed disappointment about the cancellation, describing the project as “a story we were so incredibly proud of” in a social media statement. Coverage noted that the series was expected to delve further into LeFou’s backstory and explore themes of identity and relationships in a more explicit way than the 2017 feature film.

The 2017 live-action "Beauty and the Beast" itself drew international attention for featuring what director Bill Condon described in interviews as an “exclusively gay moment” involving LeFou’s affection for Gaston and a brief same-sex dance shot. Although brief, the scene was widely discussed as a milestone for LGBTQ+ visibility in a major Disney release.

Luke Evans is an openly gay Welsh actor who has often spoken in interviews about being out in the film industry and about the importance of authentic representation. His casting as Gaston in 2017 was frequently cited in LGBTQ+ media as an example of an openly gay performer taking on a prominent role in a Disney tentpole film.