Beauty and the Beast : I am trying, but I am not buying Luke Evans as Gaston yet

Okay guys, I have seen two "Beauty and the Beast" trailers and I have to admit I am STILL not buying Luke Evans as Gaston and it's not just the physique, it's just Luke Evans just doesn't have the presence, the attitude, the arrogance, he is not prepotente, he's just not intimidating at all. Gaston was funny but he was not comedic, Evans looks like he is in a comedy/parody movie.

And like another IMDb user said it best: "Gaston doesn't seem nearly so pompous. He looks genuinely heartbroken when Belle turns him down. I am curious as to if they are going to make him more three-dimensional and sympathetic, but I would miss the over-the-top, genuine arrogance. While I don't mind if they give him some depth, I hope they don't go the route of so many things these days - where the antagonist is painted as "merely misunderstood" instead of genuinely evil. I also think it would take away from the point of the story."

I do not want Gaston, which is arguably one of the Greatest and most evil villains in Disney movies to become "misunderstood and softy". That will make me hate it and lambaste it if I have to.

But as fans I want your opinions.

I get what you're saying. In the beginning, I was completely against Luke Evans in this role. Now, I may not be completely sold, but from what I've seen it looks promising. True, he doesn't have the physique of the character but then what actor really would? One user mentioned unless you hire Jason Momoa or the Rock and I can't imagine any of those two for this kind of role.

"Facts are necessary, without them you must remain silent."

True, the physique I can forgive. But he looks I don't know, not intimidating I guess? Maybe he looks too "nice"?

He just doesn't look imposing, cunning, evil even not that Evans can not play this characters is just THIS character looks a bit softy.

Watch No one lives 2012 with Luke Evan and like I mention early it's been said that Luke workout for his role as Gaston


Lara Croft Himiko! The First Sun Queen! This is Yamatai.

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Watch No one lives 2012 with Luke Evan and like I mention early it's been said that Luke workout for his role as Gaston

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I'm sure he'll rock as Gaston , but I found his screen presence in that movie to be very lacking. Just like in The Hobbit, I made me think that sometimes people mistake his good looks for charisma.

In No one lives his character was so cold.


Lara Croft Himiko! The First Sun Queen! This is Yamatai.

Yeah I'm not getting outright pompous narcissist ass who treats even his own bff and biggest supporter like his b**th (punching him etc). I mean Gaston acts like he is the Best Thing Ever and people surrounding him also endorse this. He has zero humility and doesn't show much (any) signs of empathy either. If they do make him more nuanced and deep, well, that would change the story someless convincing that Belle would hate him so much.

But maybe all that just hasn't had a chance to shine through in the trailers lol

Good points.

Well I just recently got the art of beauty and the beast with the live action behind the scenes info. Based on the info, Gaston will be an ex-captain of an army while keeping his hunter skills. Years ago, he saved the village from Portuguese marauders and because of this, he was so beloved by the village. And because of that, he believed that he's going to get everything he ever wanted when the chance is here. He believed that he was on top and everyone else is below. Belle rejecting him marks the first time that he didn't get what he wanted. This also awakened the truly cruelly selfish nature behind his handsome looks. As Luke Evans said, he gets as dark as any other Disney character would.

And in terms of physique, like I said, as he is an ex-captain, it brings a new fresh look to Gaston, while keeping his personality and character.

So best to wait until the film comes out.

I thought Luke Evans was quite intimidating in The Girl on the Train when his character lashed out at Emily Blunts character (though, obviously as Gaston he wouldnt be yelling obscenities and/or getting quite as physical with Belle as he did with Emily Blunts character in that movie). Still, I found him plenty intimidating in that scene so if he can bring even some of that to the role of Gaston, I think hell do alright.

I will admit that his expressive eyes could be somewhat of a detriment to the character of Gaston in the movie if theyre wanting to avoid anyone feeling even a smidgen of sympathy for him (as I felt sympathy for Luke Evans character in The Girl on the Train early in the movie thanks in large part to his eye work - then again, it made what came later have all the more impact).


Jack Sparrow: "Look." [shoots the monkey] "An undead monkey! Top that!"

If that is true they would make him even more "cartoon-y".

I mean, why does he have to have a background so people feel sorry for him this spells disaster.

It isn't to make people feel sorry for him. Its to give him reasons why he was so loved by the townspeople, and why he was so egomaniacal.

Maybe filmmakers believe modern audiences need things spelled out for them.

Some characters do not need a huge background on a fairy tale no less.

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Maybe filmmakers believe modern audiences need things spelled out for them.

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After watching Maleficent, I would say so. However, a backstory doesn't necessarily mean we feel sorry for the character. In Harry Potter (the books, not the movies), we get Voldemort's backstory. It is tragic: a mother who elects to die rather than save herself, a father who abandoned him when he was still in the womb, raised in a loveless orphanage. All very tragic. But the theme of Harry Potter is about our choices defining us. Voldemort chose to be evil so he is evil. The books never shy away from the fact that Voldemort is evil despite his tragic past.

I would argue, though, that Gaston doesn't really need a backstory. He isn't a one dimensional villain. Gaston was that guy everyone knew in high school who was so good looking and popular, captain of the football/basketball team, all the women wanted him and all the men wanted to be him. Gaston is arrogant, cocky and self-absorbed but harmless because he always gets his way. It isn't until he doesn't get his way and (gasp) a girl would choose a beast over him that he starts to turn into a villain. As the Beast regains his humanity, Gaston becomes a beast.

The Disney villain I would love a backstory for (as long as it didn't get shyt upon like they did with Maleficent) is Ursula.

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In MY day, we had fantastical feasts when I lived in the palace. And now, look at me - wasted away to practically nothing - banished and exiled and practically starving, while he and his flimsy fish-folk celebrate.

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That could be an awesome movie! How did Ursula come to rule Atlantica? How did Triton take over? Who is the rightful heir to the throne?

To love another person is to see the face of God! - Les Miserables

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I would argue, though, that Gaston doesn't really need a backstory. He isn't a one dimensional villain. Gaston was that guy everyone knew in high school who was so good looking and popular, captain of the football/basketball team, all the women wanted him and all the men wanted to be him. Gaston is arrogant, cocky and self-absorbed but harmless because he always gets his way. It isn't until he doesn't get his way and (gasp) a girl would choose a beast over him that he starts to turn into a villain. As the Beast regains his humanity, Gaston becomes a beast.

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I agree, but everyone gets this the second he appears in the movie.

He doesn't need filmmakers to go out of their ways to write him as sympathetic.

If this is correct about Gaston's backstory, I don't like it. If the villagers love Gaston because he is a hero, it takes away from the point of the story.
In the 1991 cartoon, they love him because he is handsome, strong & charismatic and that's about it. They equate that with being a good person & are willing to follow him to slaughter The Beast and servants who have done them no harm & loot their possessions. They believe that whatever Gaston says is true, and they look over his character deficiencies (or perhaps even admire them) because they want to be like him or with him. He hasn't done anything that we know of to deserve their admiration and respect, but they blindly follow because of his superficial qualities.
The Beast, on the other hand, is ugly on the outside but becomes beautiful on the inside. The villagers don't see that (they think ugly or different = evil) but Belle sees the truth.
Making Gaston a hero definitely dampens the message, as well as why Belle would dislike him so, if he's a returning soldier worthy of praise, albeit a bit proud because it's gone to his head. I really hope he doesn't only go dark when his heart gets broken by being rudely dismissed by Belle over sincere attempts to woo her.

I really hope it doesn't play out this way and I am completely wrong.

Trust me, I agree with you on this.

But according to sources Evan's Gaston is actually a nice guy talk about ruining the character.

The writers simply do not get that Gaston being an ass is part of the contrast that makes this story great, that while he is a handsome monster, Beast is an ugly prince who finds redemption, Gaston does not.

In fact, his plunge into the abyss was instant karma for trying to kill someone that forgave his life.

I have made peace w the fact that Luke Evans will **** this one up.

I haven't seen anything that says he's a nice guy myself, but gosh I hope those sources are wrong.
I'm starting to think the makers of this film don't understand it at all.

There's a novelization of the movie that is out already.

You know the scene where he mocks her for reading completely altered!

My source is an avid reader and a huge fan so I trust them and at the same time I made peace with this.

But at least we still have the 1991 movie.

I believe you, I just haven't read that myself.
Yes, I am glad for what we do have, and if it gets more people interested in the original or the stage show, or if we get some beautiful scenes or songs out of it even if most of it is subpar, I will be happy for that. But I will be kind of annoyed if/when people praise something that's not very good because of nostalgia's sake. Ah well. I don't want to stop people from enjoying it, but if it isn't great and everyone says it's the best thing ever, I will just have to grin and bear it (and tell them how they are wrong heh heh).

Oh I will lambasting it till kingdom come

You know? When I first heard of the project and I heard Emma Watson was Belle and that it'd be a musical I was actually excited. I never thought Ewan MacGregor could fit into Jerry Orbach's shoes but I let it slide.

When I heard Luke Evans was Gaston all I asked is that he worked out, Chris Pratt did it for Guardians Of The Galaxy, why can't he?

Then I saw the trailers and it's all been downhill ever since.

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I agree, but everyone gets this the second he appears in the movie.

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That's because his first lines are full of arrogance as is his facial expression. If the scene from the trailer where he's looking in the mirror and commenting on how gorgeous he is and how no one deserves him, he'll do fine. He may not have Gaston's size and physique but the arrogance and good looks are the most important part.

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He doesn't need filmmakers to go out of their ways to write him as sympathetic.

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Unless they get rid of the part where Gaston tries to blackmail Belle into marrying him using her father as leverage and/or the part where he tries to stab the Beast while his back is turned, that won't happen. No matter what backstory they give him.

To love another person is to see the face of God! - Les Miserables

Same here

I hope they at least kept Gaston a huge egotistical ass in love with himself, with an ego the size of a barn. That's something that should be established, not occur because Belle wasn't interested in him.

As far as villains go, he's one of the most entertaining ones to watch and has some of the best Disney songs.

I just don't see Luke Evans able to pull off that cruel intensity you see at the end of the animated film where he fights the beast. He's the villain, yeah, but he was a conniving and tenacious m-fer. Can Luke Evans get kind of hammy-edgy-evil? I don't know.

If he's diminished in any way, he won't be up to standards and bring the film down in entertainment value.

I don''t think he can pull it off. when he's fighting at the end (cartoon version) he's a full blown murdering psychopath, hell bent on revenge

Just watch, not only will Evans be more sympathetic but he will be spared at the end.

Looking at the trailer, when Gaston says "you are the most gorgeous thing I've ever seen" he's actually talking to himself in the mirror. So its still there.

That was my favorite scene of the trailer.

"Facts are necessary, without them you must remain silent."

My too and it also shows Gaston ego.


Lara Croft Himiko! The First Sun Queen! This is Yamatai.

He will nail it.

Exactly!

I find it simply offensive that Bruce Campbell wasn't cast as Gaston

I'm not yet convinced on Gastn either. I agree about the physique and also, he isn't quite good looking enough to be the attraction of the town. However, these may be minor complaints since Evans is a traditionally a good actor. And at times, the acting seems to be on point in the trailer, I will take a "wait and see" approach.

We have no choice but wait and see, but I have a little bit more than ZERO faith on him.

Are you convinced on anything at all? You hateful filled b''ch?

LOL of course I'm not convinced on anything. I haven't seen the movie yet. But the most recent trailer looks beautiful. As i mentioned earlier, my Gastn concern is minor. My only huge complaint is Emma's horrendous singing. But that's a topic for another thread.

I find it simply offensive that you would even suggest him for the role given that the man's nearly 60.

The real problem is that Luke Evans isn't handsome and imposing enough to fit the role of Gaston. Why they chose an average looking actor to play a character whose handsome looks is a BIG part of his ego is a mystery. How hard could it have been to find an actor with traditional model looks?

They should have gone with Henry Cavill for the role. If not him, then someone who looks like him.

Yes, I was thinking Douglas Booth would've been perfect but oh well. Perhaps Luke Evans will do good who knows. Like the other user suggested, I'm going to do the "wait and see approach."

"Facts are necessary, without them you must remain silent."

Some people are fawning over Luke Evans for some reason

Same here. Gaston in the animated version didn't even have to speak for you to know what a self absorbed d-bag he is. Male Blood Elves in World of Warcraft remind me of Gaston, even with their physique. I really think an actor with that attitude of being madly in love with themselves would have been better.

I just don't see him as Gaston. :/ I had prior doubts, and seeing the latest trailer made it more so. :( He had a funny line when it came to talking to himself in the mirror, but idk. I love it in the animated version where that was more subtle. Gaston was in the middle of proposing to Belle, and stops talking mid-sentence when he catches his reflection in the mirror. Lmao

Gaston was such an a-hole but he was such a huge part of the story.

The Beast was the ugly guy with a heart and Gaston was the total opposite, a handsome monster.

Actually, to me he is the one thing this film seems to have gotten right so far. I think of everything, seeing him as Gaston is what I'm looking forward to the most. His stature is a bit small but what can you do? You thinking more Jason Momoa as Gaston?

I'm not sure he's the one thing they got "right" as you said, since I agree he doesn't seem to have the right uh, obvious-dick aura and huge physical sizebut I do find myself more secretly intrigued by him and LeFou in the new movie than anything else right now lol

Actually, I just remembered that there's an actor names Owain Yeoman that I always thought would make the perfect Gaston because he literally looks like the live version of him from the Disney cartoon. That was a missed opportunity

I'm not as worried about the casting of Gaston as I'm worried about how they'll write him. in the liberal, feminist world we live in, they just might cut his most hilarious lines like 'it's not right for a women to read. soon she gets ideas and thinking' just cause it's offensive.

Yeah, have to be "politically correct" I suppose. I thought that line was funny as well.

"Facts are necessary, without them you must remain silent."

yeah but, wasn't the point of those lines to show what a douche he was? we weren't supposed to agree with him, it just showed up much of a narrow-minded idiot HE was

I agree wholeheartedly that he may not say those lines because we live in a "sanitized" society so week that audiences might be "triggered" somehow.

And of course we were not supposed to agree with him, he was the ****** villain. Is that to hard to understand for modern audiences?

Right? There's this hilarious video on youtube of a little girl at Disney telling off Gaston, and some people are offended by what Gaston said to her because it wasn't PCI guess "villans" (if you can call them that anymore) are supposed to be all sunshine, rainbows and puppies these days?
Here's the video:

Are you retarded or just stupid? What would liberal feminists want to cut from the movie the villain's line demeaning women? That's the perfect person to speak it. Now, if the Beast made that comment or the movie pushed that message, yeah, I could see liberal feminists getting up in arms. The villain saying it though.

Seriously, don't reproduce.

To love another person is to see the face of God! - Les Miserables

I just started reading the official Novelization (Not the Tie in books, kiddies, stop confusing the two!) and I have to agree with you. The very first chapter he just comes off as a slightly arrogant war vet. Sure he knocks over Agethe's cup of coins but he tries to compliment Belle's book in this version instead of bashing it, he doesn't mock her father, and he offers her flowers. Someone didn't understand who Gaston was supposed to be