Princesses always meet their prince charming in Disney movies, but in Beauty at the Beast, one gay male character is hoping to meet his as well.
In a major change of convention, one character in the new live action version is set to have the studio’s first “exclusively gay scene.”
Manservant LeFou, in a daring side plot, will explore his sexuality after developing romantic feelings for the macho leading man Gaston.
This is not thinly-veiled, either. Or veiled at all.
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 realizing that he has these feelings,” he adds. “It is a nice, exclusively gay moment in a Disney movie.”
The character, played by Josh Gad, marks a “watershed moment” for Disney, according to the director, who is more than happy with it.
“The studio is sending out a message that this is normal and natural,” said Condon, who considers this not only acceptable, but important.
“This is a message that will be heard in every country, even countries where it’s still socially unacceptable or even illegal to be gay.”
In the original 1991 animated film classic, LeFou sings a song to cheer up Gaston, a ladies’ man intent on winning Belle’s affection.
This time around, he will likely do much of the same, albeit while harboring romantic feelings of his own toward the Luke Evans’ character.
The lead role of Belle is also being made more feminist, though a recent Emma Watson topless scandal has drawn criticism in that respect.
Watson’s off-set controversies aside, Belle – once a dreary bookworm – has been transformed into an independent, headstrong inventor.
Fans have often mused over the sexuality of Disney characters for decades now, including Ursula, the sea witch in The Little Mermaid.
Some feel that villain was inspired by a drag queen, while others hoped for a romance between The Lion King’s Timon and Pumba.
More recently, talk of a Frozen 2 sparked plenty of fan discussion online as to Elsa’s sexuality, and what the community would like it to be.
Simply put, many folks want Disney to #GiveElsaAGirlfriend.
Love is an open door, right? This concept began with a teenage girl named Alexis Isabel Moncada who Tweeted a message that went viral.
“I hope Disney makes Elsa a lesbian princess imagine how iconic that would be. Dear @Disney, #GiveElsaAGirlfriend.”
While they may be stretching, Beast is leaving no doubts.
