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Tag: Beauty and the Beast

  • Disney+’s ‘Beauty and The Beast’ Prequel Series On Indefinite Hold

    Disney+’s ‘Beauty and The Beast’ Prequel Series On Indefinite Hold

    These past few years have seen Disney go all-in on bringing some of their most classic stories to life in live-action. In 2017, they once again brought Beauty and The Beast to life, which had an all-star cast consisting of Emma Watson, Dan Stevens, Luke Evans, and Josh Gad. The film was quite the hit, and audiences especially loved Evans and Gad as Gaston and Lefou. As such, a prequel series has been in development for the two and it has recently added multiple cast members. Sadly, it seems like they made some announcements a bit too soon.

    It is being reported that the Disney+ Beauty and The Beast Prequel series has been put on indefinite hold at the streamer. The project was met with multiple issues including scheduling issues with the cast as well production issues that saw its start date pushed back so that it may be able to film in better weather. It seems there have also been creative differences amongst the creatives on the project.

    The project received an eight-episode order back in June of 2021 and just recently cast Rita Ora, Fra Fee, and Jelani Alladin. With so many things not lining up, Disney opted to put the project on hold. Both Gad and Evans have a slew of projects in the pipeline that they’ll be working on that would clash with the production timeline. While the project is not dead it may be a while before it can pick itself up off the ground and get going.

    Source: THR

  • Rita Ora Joins ‘Beauty and the Beast’ Prequel Series

    Rita Ora Joins ‘Beauty and the Beast’ Prequel Series

    There’s no stopping Disney+ from adding talent after talent for their upcoming The Beauty and the Beast prequel that explores the time of Luke Evans‘ Gaston and Josh Gad‘s LeFou before they entered Belle’s story. Deadline just broke the news that they have also added pop star Rita Ora, who many know for her work on songs like Your Song and Anywhere, who will take on the role of a fugitive with a strange ability. Her dark secret may turn the kingdom upside down.

    The project has been developed by Gad, who also has writing credit and is showrunning the project alongside Once Upon a Time creators Edward Kitsis and Adam Horowitz. Currently, the pilot episode will be directed by Eclipsed‘s Liesl Tommy but there’s no word who might tackle the rest of the eight episodes of the musical series. As they are building upon the musical whimsy of the original, it makes sense to add a talent like Rita Ora who can add something to the project.

    We know quite a bit about the plot, as Gaston and LeFou set out to help his step-sister Tilly as they are cast out into quite the adventure. Details naturally are kept under wraps, but it does sound like a promising fun project, even if it’ll be curious to see if the show tries to redeem Gaston as a character in some way.

    Source: Deadline

  • ‘Beauty and the Beast’ Musical Prequel Adds Broadway’s Jelani Alladin

    ‘Beauty and the Beast’ Musical Prequel Adds Broadway’s Jelani Alladin

    Luke Evans and Josh Gad‘s upcoming Beauty and the Beast prequel has found another actor to join its line-up, as The Walking Dead: World Beyond actor, Jelani Alladin, has joined the project. We just recently learned that Fra Fee was also going to have a role in the story, as the series slowly is starting to come together ahead of its production. The musical series will run for eight episodes and continue the stories of Gaston and LeFou after the events of the 2017 original.

    The story follows LeFou’s step-sister Tilly, who will be played by Briana Middleton, as her past comes to haunt her and the three are off unto an unlikely adventure. Alladin will play a quick-witted artist, who goes by Jean-Michel. The actor is no stranger to working with Disney, as he played Kristoff in the Broadway rendition of Frozen. He worked on various TV series such as Law & Order: SVU, and FBI. Given his stage background, he’s a great addition to bring the musical to life.

    Source: Deadline

  • ‘Hawkeye’ Actor Fra Fee Joins the ‘Beauty and Beast’ Prequel Series for Disney+

    ‘Hawkeye’ Actor Fra Fee Joins the ‘Beauty and Beast’ Prequel Series for Disney+

    Fra Fee is joining the cast of the Beauty and the Beast prequel series on Disney Plus. The news comes courtesy of Variety, with the outlet reporting Fee is joining the cast as Prince Benoit Berlioz, “a childhood friend of Tilly’s who has grown into a handsome, charismatic, confident prince.” Tilly will be played by newcomer Briana Middleton, who was confirmed to be part of the cast last June when the series was officially ordered to series. The duo joins Luke Evans and Josh Gad who return to reprise their roles as Gaston and LeFou.

    The forthcoming series is said to follow Gaston, LeFou, and Tilly as they take off together, having uncovered a surprising revelation from her past, leading them on an unexpected journey. The Beauty & the Beast prequel will consist of eight episodes, and it was written and developed by Gad, Edward Kitsis, and Adam Horowitz, who all serve as co-showrunners on the series. Production on the series kicks off in Spring 2022, with Liesl Tommy (Queen Sugar, Respect) set to direct the pilot episode.

    Fee is, of course, coming off the recently released Hawkeye which is now streaming in its entirety on Disney Plus.

    Source: Variety.