Josh Gad to play LeFou in live-action 'Beauty and the Beast'

By VARIETY
Disney's upcoming live-action "Beauty and the Beast" film has found its LeFou in actor Josh Gad.

Gad, who was the voice of snowman Olaf in the animated Disney hit "Frozen," is in final talks to join the project that already stars Emma Watson as Belle, Dan Stevens as the Beast/Prince and Luke Evans as the menacing Gaston.

LeFou is Gaston's bumbling sidekick who looks up to his partner and remains loyal, despite frequent abuse. Gad has experience in the sidekick role from playing Elder Cunningham in the Broadway musical, "Book of Mormon." He also stars opposite Billy Crystal in the new FX comedy "The Comedians."

Bill Condon is directing "Beauty and the Beast," with David Hoberman and Todd Lieberman of Mandeville Films producing. The script was written by Evan Spiliotopoulos and rewritten by Steve Chbosky.

No release date has been set for the film. Production will begin later this year.