Disney continues to expand its live-action universe and now focuses on one of its most memorable villains: Gaston, the antagonist of 'Beauty and the Beast'. According to sources close to the studio, the company is developing a cinematic spin-off centered on the iconic character, aiming to offer a completely renewed perspective, detached from both the previous cast and the television project that had been announced years ago and was ultimately canceled. The new film is in an early development stage, but it already has heavyweight names behind the project. Disney has chosen Dave Callaham as the screenwriter, a creative with experience in major franchises such as 'Godzilla', 'Spider-Man', and 'Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings'. Production will be overseen by Michelle Rejwan, a key figure at the studio, known for her work on the 'Star Wars' saga and various high-profile productions at Lucasfilm. The character of Gaston first appeared in the 1992 animated version of 'Beauty and the Beast', where he established himself as an arrogant, charismatic, and Bella-obsessed hunter. Gaston's popularity led Disney to include him in the successful 2017 live-action adaptation, where Luke Evans portrayed him with great impact. In this new venture, Disney will opt for a complete recast, betting on a different actor to portray Gaston and move away from the version known to the public. According to initial reports, the story will lean towards a 'swashbuckling' adventure, with a more epic focus and a different character construction, which could delve deeper into his motivations and origins. For now, no concrete plot details have been revealed, nor has a director been confirmed. However, the studio assures that expectations are high, and this spin-off is part of Disney's strategy to give its villains leading roles.
