Josh Gad Joins Beauty and the Beast as Lefou

Despite appearing (presumably) as a human, the next Josh Gad appearance in a Disney fairy tale will be a decidedly colder affair. Indeed, the Frozen and Book of Mormon actor has been cast as Lefou in Disney’s upcoming live-action remake of Beauty and the Beast. And if you have seen the 1991 animated classic before, then you know Lefou is not nearly as lovable as Olaf…but he sure can sing!

As revealed by THR, Gad joins the new big screen adaptation of Jeanne-Marie Leprince de Beaumont’s classic tale that is also following in the footsteps of the Walt Disney Animation Studios renaissance film. In that picture, Lefou was presented as the fawning and sycophantic sidekick of the handsomest man in town, Gaston. Luke Evans (Dracula Untold) has already been cast in that role. Meanwhile, the leads have also been famously cast with Emma Watson of the Harry Potter franchise playing Belle, and Dan Stevens (Downton Abbey) cast as the Beast.

Beauty and the Beast is the latest in Disney’s new line of live-action remakes of animated classics, which includes Alice in Wonderland, Mirror, Mirror, Maleficent, and this weekend’s Cinderella (which you can read our review of here). However, unlike those other reimaginings, Beauty and the Beast appears to be a full fledged remake, as Emma Watson has mentioned on social media that she must prepare for singing lessons after being cast as Belle.

Bill Condon (Dreamgirls, Twilight: Breaking Dawn) is taking on directing duties on the feature from a screenplay by Evan Spiliotopoulos and Steve Chbosky.

Beauty and the Beast was the 1991 animated classic that many consider the crown jewel of the Disney Renaissance era (roughly 1989 to 1999). It remains the only animated film to be nominated for Best Picture when there were only five available spots at the Oscars, and it also won the Golden Globe for Best Musical or Comedy. Also, for the record, Gaston was one of the six Disney villains we thought might deserve a movie after Maleficent.