Following the critical success of ABC’s fairytale fantasyOnce Upon a Time, which turned its last page in 2018,Adam HorowitzandEddy Kitsishaven’t had much success reviving that lightning in a bottle with other series—including theBeauty and the Beastprequel series that was delayed(or rather, indefinitely placed in a glass jar like the enchanted rose). During a recent interview forCentral Park’s upcoming season, Collider’sChristian Radishspoke withJosh Gadabout the series,and he gave us a little taste of what the delayed prequel project entailed.
The series was meant to be a prequel to the 2017 live-action adaptation starringDan StevensandEmma Watson, which would see the focus placed onLuke Evan’s Gaston and Gad’s LeFou, withRita Ora,Briana Middleton,Jelani Alladin, andFra Feefleshing out the cast list. Very little is known about what the plot actually entailed, but it was allegedly going to focus, at least in part, around LeFou’s sister Tilly’s (Middleton) past. While Disney doesn’t appear to have any plans to bring the series to screens anytime soon, Gad confirmed that both he and Evans are still interested in doing the series.
“There were elements that were really, really stunning and really brilliant. It’s that blessing and curse,” Gad explained, before going on to explain one of the reasons that the series might have fell apart. When you’re doing something as big and as ambitious as aBeauty and the Beastprequel, and you’re getting to play with the crown jewels, it’s gonna be an expensive undertaking. In terms of ambition and scope, and trying to marry it to one of the most expensive movies in the Disney library, its ambition ran away with it. There are ways that we can tell this story and live up to the promise of what it can be, but also do it in a way that won’t break the bank."
RELATED:Luke Evans on ‘The Pembrokeshire Murders’ and Why Disney’s ‘Pinocchio’ Remake Will Be Unique
Despite everything, Gad still seems hopeful about the future of the project, telling Collider, “Ultimately, I think that will be the way forward. I hope we get to do it. I know we’re still very interested.” But hope like that is a tale as old as time. Oftentimes projects like this prequel series will get delayed indefinitely, stuck in a never-ending loop of “maybes.” Perhaps with enough interest, Evans and Luke will get the chance to explore the early days of Gaston and LeFou’s friendship.
Before theBeauty and the Beastprequel series was put on the back burner, Horowitz and Kitsis were dealt another unlucky hand last August, when ABCpulled the plug on theirEpicfairytale anthology, which the duo was executive producing with formerOnce Upon a TimewriterBrigitte Halespenning the series. And before that, theMuppetsLive Another Dayseries that they were working on with Gad for Disney+was scrapped over creative differences. Perhaps this is the price of all that magic they doled out in Storybrooke.
While we wait for more updates about the prequel series, check out our interview with Gad andIsla Fisherfor the stellar seriesWolf Like Me:
