‘Beauty and the Beast’ Prequel Series Greenlit by Disney+, Luke Evans and Josh Gad Set to Reprise Roles

Ten points for Gaston! Disney+ has officially greenlit a Beauty and the Beast prequel series starring Luke Evans and Josh Gad, who will be reprising their roles as Gaston and LeFou (Louie), respectively. The eight-episode limited musical series will begin production in spring 2022, and introduce new characters like LeFou’s step-sister Tilly, who will be played by Briana Middleton.

Set in the iconic Beauty and the Beast kingdom years before The Beast and Belle’s romance, the streaming series will follow the trio on an unexpected journey, fueled by a mysterious revelation about Tilly’s past. Along the way, the series will answer all those burning questions you had after watching Beauty and the Beast, like “why are Gaston and LeFou friends?” and “Why did the enchantress curse the Beast?” and “How many eggs can Gaston eat?” Actually, we know the answer to the last one: 40 as a “lad,” 50 as an adult. Now you know!

“For anyone who’s ever wondered how a brute like Gaston and a goof like LeFou could have ever become friends and partners, or how a mystical enchantress came to cast that fateful spell on the prince-turned-beast, this series will finally provide those answers, and provoke a whole new set of questions,” said Gary Marsh, Disney Branded Television’s president and chief creative officer, in a statement.

Beauty and the Beast will be developed, executive produced, and written by Gad, Edward Kitsis, and Adam Horowitz, who will each serve as co-showrunner. Kitsis and Horowitz certainly know their ways around a Disney fairy tale riff as creators of the ABC series Once Upon a Time, so expect more of that. Tony Award-nominated director Liesl Tommy is set to direct the first episode and executive produce the series. Also joining the project is EGOT Award-winning composer Alan Menken, who composed songs for the original animated movie, and returned to rejigger the soundtrack and pen additional songs for the live-action version that starred Emma Watson and Dan Stevens (as well as Evans and Gad).

“For three decades, this tale as old as time has inspired generations of fans around the world,” said Michael Paull, president, Disney+ and ESPN+. “We can’t wait to welcome our guests back to the magical and musical world of Beauty and the Beast for an all new chapter with LeFou, Gaston, and a fantastic new cast of characters.”

The prequel had previously been announced, and rumored to be titled Little Town. Now, it’s switched back to the Beauty and the Beast name. The news comes as the original Beauty and the Beast animated film celebrates its 30th anniversary, and fingers crossed the series finally reveals how Gaston became especially good at expectorating.

Where to Watch Beauty and the Beast (2017)