Luke Evans Downplays 'Gay Moment' in 'Beauty and the Beast,' Says Gaston & LeFou are 'Just Friends'

Monday March 20, 2017

Are you tired of hearing about the so-called "exclusive gay moment" in Disney's remake of "Beauty and the Beast"? Same here. But the "controversy" continues!

Luke Evans, who plays Gaston in the film, commented on the "gay moment" in a Friday interview with The Hollywood Reporter, downplaying the relationship between Gaston and LeFou.

In the film, it's pretty clear LeFou (played by Josh Gad) has the hots for his buff bud. But Evans, who is openly gay, doesn't view the relationship between the two men as sexual, telling THR the men are "just good friends."

"There's a lot of authenticity there, they're like best buddies, they've been in each other's lives for a very long time," Evans said. "I remember when I was a young kid and I always looked up to my older friends and thought, 'Ah. One day I want to be like them. I want to play rugby like them.

"Everybody thinks they're the best, I want to be that person.' I think LeFou looks up to Gaston in that way - as a hero," he added. "I certainly don't think there was anything more outside that relationship. They're just good friends. What's lovely about LeFou's character is he finds his soul and his identity throughout the movie just as everybody else does."

That stance differs from "Beauty and the Beast" director Bill Condon, who revealed the "gay moment" to the press. Ewan McGregor, who voices the talking candlestick Lumière, also confirmed LeFou is gay, telling haters to get over it.

"It's just like...he's a gay character. It's 2017. For fucks sake," he said on the "Late Show" with Stephen Colbert.

[H/T Vulture]