Josh Gad Joins Disney’s Live-Action ‘Beauty and the Beast’ as LeFou

As Cinderella continues to work its charm on the big screen, Disney continues to beef up another upcoming live-action adaptation by adding yet another actor to its cast.

Courtesy of Variety, we have word that Josh Gad is in final negotiations to join Disney’s live-action remake of Beauty and the Beast as LeFou, Gaston’s bumbling right-hand man.

Gad has already carved out a place at Disney as the voice of Olaf in Frozen (a role he reprised in the short film Frozen Fever and will do so again for the sequel). Gad also has a history of preforming on Broadway and has exercised some of those skills in some of Frozen‘s musical numbers. Seeing as how this film will also be a musical, Gad’s talents should fit right in.

Interestingly enough, he’s also (nationality-wise) something of a combo-breaker; he’s the first American actor to join what initially appeared to be an all-British cast. That cast now includes Emma Watson as Belle, Dan Stevens as The Beast, Luke Evans as Gaston, and possibly Emma Thompson as Mrs. Potts (if rumors are to be believed).

The film will be directed by Bill Condon (Dreamgirls, Breaking Dawn Part 1 & 2, The Fifth Estate) from a screenplay by author and filmmaker Stephan Chbosky (The Perks of Being a Wallflower). David Hoberman and Todd Lieberman will produce through their Mandeville Films banner.

The film will have a musical component and will feature songs from the animated film, in addition to new music composed by one of the animated film’s original composers, Alan Menken.

What do you think? Is Josh Gad the right choice for the character? Has his addition changed you mind about the film?

Edited by: Kelly Conley