𝐁𝐄𝐀𝐔𝐓𝐘 𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐁𝐄𝐀𝐒𝐓 𝟐 (𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔)

• Director: [To be confirmed – Development stage]
• Writer: Dave Callaham (Shang-Chi, Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse)
• Starring: [New Lead Actor – TBA]
• Genre: Action / Adventure / Fantasy
• Status: Officially Announced by Disney (December 2025)

1. Introduction and Project Background

Instead of a traditional sequel focusing on Belle and the Prince, Disney officially announced in December 2025 that they are developing a live-action feature film centered on the story’s iconic villain: Gaston. This “reimagining” follows the success of villain-centric films like Maleficent and Cruella. The project is being produced by Michelle Rejwan (Star Wars) and written by Dave Callaham, signaling a shift toward a more action-oriented, “swashbuckling” tone.

2. Retrospective: The 2017 Live-Action Legacy

• The 2017 Remake: Starring Emma Watson and Dan Stevens, the film was a massive success, crossing $1.2 billion at the box office. It faithfully recreated the 1991 animated classic while adding new songs and backstory.
• The “No Sequel” Rule: Disney executives, including Head of Production Sean Bailey, previously stated they would not force a direct sequel to Belle’s story to avoid compromising the definitive “happily ever after” ending. Instead, they have opted to expand the universe through prequels and spin-offs.

3. The 2026 Expansion: What to Expect

• The Story of Gaston: Unlike the Gaston & LeFou prequel series that was previously delayed, this 2026 feature film is described as a “new and original version” of the character. It will reportedly move away from the “meathead” stereotype to explore a more heroic or complex origin story for the hunter.
• New Casting: Disney has confirmed they are looking for a new actor to play Gaston, rather than bringing back Luke Evans. This suggests a total “reset” of the character’s journey.
• The “Beauty and the Beast 2” Rumors: Many of the 2026 rumors involving Dwayne Johnson or Elle Fanning stem from AI-generated “concept trailers” on YouTube. While these are highly popular, they are fan-made projects and not official Disney productions.

Final Verdict

Beauty and the Beast 2 (2026) may not be happening in the traditional sense, but the Gaston spin-off represents Disney’s new strategy to keep the magic alive. By focusing on a “swashbuckling” origin story with top-tier action writers, the studio is attempting to turn a classic fairy tale into a modern adventure franchise.

For fans of the original, 2026 will also see a massive international tour of the “Beauty and the Beast” Musical, which continues to be one of the highest-rated stage productions in the world.