Hugh Jackman played the narcissistic Gaston in the Broadway play version of Beauty and the Beast, while Luke Evans will take over the role in Disney’s live-action film from director Bill Condon (The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn). The two found themselves on an episode of Jonathan Ross’ British talkshow where they had a pissing match…I mean, sing-off to determine who’s the better Gaston. For Mouse House nuts getting pumped for the film, which stars Emma Watson as Belle, this is a taste of what Evans is bringing to the role.
The song was “Gaston,” in which a crowd of drunken townspeople sing the praises of the burly, brawny, and self-obsessed macho villain of this tale. Their backup chorus included Jackman’s Eddie the Eagle co-star Taron Egerton, who has some pipes of his own. I don’t mean to declare a winner or anything, but…is it too late to recast the movie? Evans isn’t bad by any means. In fact, I’m actually quite impressed with his baritone register, but Jackman’s had years and years of training and performing on Broadway, and it shows.
Watch them face off below.
Joining Watson and Evans in the film are The Guest heartthrob Dan Stevens as Beast, Ewan McGregor as Lumiere, Gugu Mbatha-Raw (Concussion) as Plumette, Stanley Tucci as Cadenza, Emma Thompson as Mrs. Potts, Ian McKellen as Cogsworth, Josh Gad (Frozen) as Le Fou, Kevin Kline as Maurice, and Broadway legend Audra McDonald as Garderobe. Evan Spiliotopoulos and Stephen Chbosky penned the screenplay. After production commenced last year, the cast teased the film with behind-the-scenes images and enticing talk about the musical numbers, but this is our best preview yet.
Beauty and the Beast is scheduled for theaters on March 17, 2017.
