Disney Develops New Gaston Movie: A Bold Take on Beauty and the Beast Villain
Disney is developing a feature about Gaston, the vanity-driven hunter from Beauty and the Beast, promising a darker, more adventurous tone with a fresh cast.
Disney has begun development on a new feature film centered on Gaston, the vain and ruthless hunter from Beauty and the Beast. The project is in early stages and will offer a fresh interpretation of the classic villain. This movie is not tied to the 2017 live-action remake and will feature a new actor in the role.
The screenplay is written by Dave Callaham, known for work on Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, and Godzilla vs. Kong. The project is produced by Michelle Rejwan, a long-time collaborator with Disney and Lucasfilm, with credits including Star Wars: The Force Awakens, Andor, and Obi-Wan Kenobi.
Gaston on screen
Gaston first appeared in the 1992 animated classic as a self-centered, brutal hunter obsessed with Belle. In the 2017 live-action remake, the role was played by Luke Evans. Following the film's global success, talks of a Gaston-centered series circulated, but the project did not move forward.
Directors and plot details for the new film remain under wraps, with the studio keeping a tight lid on creative direction.
Industry context
In October, Disney revived a live-action project based on Tangled, with reports suggesting Scarlett Johansson might join the cast. At the same time, the studio reported strong performance from its animated output, including Zootopia 2 becoming the top-grossing Hollywood release of 2025, underscoring the breadth of Disney's storytelling pipeline.
Expert commentary
Expert comment: Media analysts say the Gaston project reflects a broader strategy to expand beloved franchises by exploring villain backstories and darker tones that appeal to adult audiences.
In short, this development highlights Disney's ongoing effort to grow its universe around classic characters while experimenting with new storytelling styles.
Summary
Disney is moving forward with a Gaston-focused film in early development, aiming to deliver a fresh take on a familiar antagonist. The script is entrusted to Dave Callaham, with Michelle Rejwan producing, and details about the cast and director remain under wraps. The project signals Disney's continued interest in expanding its Beauty and the Beast universe and exploring darker, more adventurous storytelling.
Key insight: Disney's Gaston project signals a bold reimagining of a familiar antagonist, expanding the Beauty and the Beast universe for modern audiences.