Beauty and the Beast to use Gaston lines that were too 'risqué' for the original
'In 'Gaston', we had a treasure trove of lyrics that Howard [Ashman] had written that we did not put in the movie,' composer Alan Menken stated
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Your support makes all the difference.'Gaston' from Beauty and the Beast will forever be the prime choice for loudly bellowing in public places, and it looks as if the classic track may be getting an update for Disney's new live-action film.
Animated Gaston may have boasted about having "biceps to spare", being "especially good at expectorating", and the fact "every last inch of me's covered in hair"; yet, Entertainment Weekly has now revealed a slew of deleted lyrics from the original 1991 animation will make their way into the new version - ones that are a little more risqué in content.
"In 'Gaston', we had a treasure trove of lyrics that Howard [Ashman] had written that we did not put in the movie," composer Alan Menken stated. "In many cases they were a little bit risqué — not risqué sexually, but risqué in terms of sensibility."
"We all felt ready to have these lyrics. When Bill [Condon] found out about those lyrics, he said, 'Oh my god, can we please look at that, because it would be a wonderful way to add an extra freshness to the movie.' So, yes, you’re going to hear some unheard Howard Ashman lyrics."
"The guys at Disney reviewed all the transcripts and recordings and they’ve been able to go back through those hours and hours of recorded footage and listen to lyrics that were written and never used, which are actually gems," he continued. "So, for the [audience members] who know the songs immensely well, which I think is most people, you will hear a few new lines, which are really, really special."
Menken and the late Howard Ashman originally collaborated on the 1991 film, though Ashman sadly died as a result of AIDS-related complications before the film's release; Menken has here worked alongside lyricist Tim Rice to pen three new songs for the live-action film.
Beauty and the Beast sees director Bill Condon, best known for The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn, take on a script by Stephen Chbosky, who directed star Emma Watson in The Perks of Being a Wallflower. The Hobbit trilogy and The Girl on the Train's Luke Evans will take on the role of Gaston, with Frozen's Josh Gad playing sidekick Le Fou.
We've also heard details about how Belle's iconic yellow dress will make its transition to screen, alongside a feminist twist added to the princess' backstory. The film hits UK cinemas 17 March 2017.
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