Disney’s first ‘gay moment’ to hit screens
IT BUILT its reputation on princesses finding their prince, living happily ever after in storylines that set the benchmark for romance for generations of children.
But Disney is to move firmly into a new era as it introduces its first “exclusively gay moment”, disclosing that the new version of Beauty and the Beast will feature a manservant exploring his sexuality. The live-action version of Beauty and
the Beast is already on course to be the most thoroughly modern film of its kind, with star Emma Watson discussing how she made the role of Belle more feminist.
The team have now revealed one character, LeFou, will experience Disney’s first ever “gay moment” on screen, as he struggles with his feelings for ultra-macho leading man Gaston. In an interview with Attitude magazine, director Bill Condon said: “LeFou is somebody who on one day wants to be Gaston and on another day wants to kiss Gaston.
“He’s confused about what he wants. It’s somebody who’s just realising that he has these feelings.
“And Josh [Gad, who plays LeFou] makes something really subtle and delicious out of it.
“And that’s what has its pay-off at the end, which I don’t want to give away. But it is a nice, exclusively gay moment in a Disney movie.”
In the original 1992 animated film, LeFou is introduced as the hapless sidekick of Gaston, the swaggering ladies’ man who hopes to woo Belle with a series of ill-judged seduction techniques.
LeFou is best known to fans of the film for singing Gaston, a pub ditty aimed at cheering up the spurned hero. With lines like “For there’s no man in town half as manly / Perfect, a pure paragon”, some fans speculated there may be more to their relationship.
Their hopes will be confirmed in the new version released on March 17.
It stars Watson as book-loving Belle, who is now an inventor and wears riding boots instead of ballet shoes. The beast is played by Dan Stevens, who was Matthew Crawley in Downton Ab
bey. Sir Ian McKellen and Emma Thompson star as a clock and a teapot, while Luke Evans will play Gaston with Gad as LeFou.
A brief clip released online yesterday shows a flamboyant Gad singing his ode to Gaston in a pink neck bow and winking at his drinking mates.
Attitude declares Beauty and the Beast “Disney’s gayest film ever”, with a “same-sex surprise” for fans.
The full interview is published in the April issue of Attitude, out now.