'Beauty and the Beast' Gets Josh Gad
Things are coming up Disney for Josh Gad this week. Hot on the heels of yesterday's "Frozen 2" news comes word that he's very close to signing on the dotted line for the role of LeFou in Disney's upcoming live action version of "Beauty and the Beast," with Emma Watson as Belle, Dan Stevens as the Beast, and Luke Evans as Gaston. It's safe to assume that this deal is a go, given Gad's tweet earlier today.
- Josh Gad (@joshgad) March 13, 2015
LeFou is Gaston's dorky sidekick, and although Gaston treats him like garbage, LeFou is unwaveringly loyal and always ready to cheer up his bro or help out with a nefarious plan. Both Gaston and LeFou were written for the original animated Disney film.
It's a good move to get Gad on board, especially since he's got mad musical chops. Gad snagged a Tony Award nomination for his role in "The Book of Mormon," and he took home a Grammy with the rest of his "Mormon" team for 2012's Best Musical Theater album. And even though we usually associate Evans with 3D blockbusters, he can also carry a tune or two. Watson, on the other hand, sounds a bit nervous about singing onscreen. As for Stevens? Well, maybe he'll be a ringer. That Matthew Crawley is a man of many hidden talents.
"Beauty and the Beast" will be directed by Bill Condon. Meanwhile, you can catch Gad on the FX show "The Comedians," and in the Sony animated feature "Pixels" this summer.
[Via The Hollywood Reporter]