Disney’s live-action reimagining of Beauty and the Beast may retell the enchanting story between Belle and her monstrous love – played here by Emma Watson and Dan Stevens, respectively – but the Mouse House has filled out the film’s supporting cast with a host of Hollywood talent.
Case in point: Luke Evans, star of Fast and Furious 6 and Peter Jackson’s Hobbit trilogy, is on board as Gaston, an ex-soldier poised for an arc “as dark as any Disney character could possibly get.” That’s according to Evans himself, who spoke to Empire about his role in the upcoming Beauty and the Beast redo, and why Gatson “is a man who, for the first time in his life, hasn’t got what he wanted.”
You’ll be able to get your first look at Luke Evans in period garb up above, courtesy of Empire, with this image in particular showcasing his ultimately futile attempts to woo Emma Watson’s Belle. A longtime fan of the original fairytale, Watson went on to talk a little more about the “inspiring” character of Belle, who must embrace her status as an outsider if she’s to find true love.
“Belle was one of my idols growing up. I knew every word to the animation. I was born in Paris like Belle. We both love books, obviously. She is someone who doesn’t really feel like she fits in, but she finds her place in the world and uses what makes her different. She was just inspiring to me.”
Joining Evans, Watson and Stevens for the fantastical romp is Emma Thompson, who is attached to play Mrs. Potts. Elsewhere, Gugu Mbatha-Raw will play Plumette, while Kevin Kline will be Belle’s father, Maurice. Josh Gad and Stanley Tucci also star.
It’s a tale as old as time and on March 17, director Bill Condon will be ushering Beauty and the Beast back to theaters with a live-action twist.