Disney’s announcement for live-action Gaston film divides ‘Beauty and the Beast’ fans

Disney has announced the live-action adaptation of a film about Gaston, the uber masculine villain who originally appeared in the animated version of Beauty and the Beast, released in 1991.

Deadline reported the news by sharing that the project is currently in “early development”, with Dave Callahan attached as the screenwriter while “no director” has yet been announced.

Gaston has notably appeared in a previous live-action film — the 2017 Beauty and the Beast, starring Emma Watson and Dan Stevens in the titular roles, with Luke Evans playing the antagonistic character.

The outlet further reported that following the film’s “billion-dollar box office success there was discussion of a TV series centered on the character, with Evans reprising the role. But that project was scrapped.”

Despite the film still being in its early stages, fans have been quick to respond to the news, largely expressing disappointment for a variety of reasons.

One user on X (formerly Twitter) described the newly announced film as “another pointless live-action cash grab”.

While another pointed out the film as being potentially related to right wing agendas.

The live-action Gaston film will reportedly incorporate “swashbuckling” elements into “a new and original version with a new actor”, though a release schedule for the film is not yer available.