The studio is developing Gaston, a feature based on the story’s villain character, The Hollywood Reporter has confirmed. Plot details have not yet been disclosed for the movie that is still in early stages.
Dave Callaham penned the latest draft for the live-action filmafter Kate Herron and Briony Redman worked on a previous one. Michelle Rejwan is set to produce.
Adapted from a French fairy tale, the original Beauty and the Beast was a sensation when it hit theaters in 1991, becoming Disney’s highest-grossing animated title at the time. The story focuses on Belle, a young woman agreeing to live with an arrogant prince who has been transformed into a monster and has a limited time to earn the true love that will break his spell. It won two Oscars from six nominations and holds the distinction as the first animated movie ever nominated for best picture.
Richard White voiced Gaston in the animated film. The studio released Bill Condon’s live-action version of Beauty and the Beast in 2017, with Emma Watson as Belle, Dan Stevens as the Beast, and Luke Evans as Gaston. That movie surpassed $1.26 billion at the global box office.
Disney has recently continued to prioritize live-action remakes of its classic animated properties. This includes a live-action take on Tangled being back in active development after THR reported in April that the film’s progress had been paused in light of Rachel Zegler and Gal Gadot’s live-action Snow White underperforming at the box office. Since then, Disney had a massive hit with the live-action remake of Lilo & Stitch, while Barry Jenkins’ prequel movie Mufasa: The Lion King also had a strong showing when it debuted late last year.
The studio has had success over the years with live-action spinoffs focusing on villains from its animated movies. This includes 2014’s Angelina Jolie-led Maleficent, highlighting the antagonist from Sleeping Beauty, and Emma Stone starring in 2021’s Cruella as the villainous Cruella de Vil from the 101 Dalmatians franchise.
There’s just something about summer romances that can cure a reading slump. Adam Sass is back with his latest YA romance, Cursed Boys and Broken Hearts! And we needed to get our hands on a review copy.
Before we jump into the review, let’s go over some Easter eggs we found in Cursed Boys and Broken Hearts. Our main character Grant Rossi’s ex-boyfriend, Micah Summers, is the same character as the protagonist from Adam Sass’s The 99 Boyfriends of Micah Summers. We love this tie-in! And the concept of a cursed rose in this book parallels Prince Adam/the Beast’s curse in the classic fairy tale, Beauty and the Beast.
From LGBTQIA+ representation to addressing teen depression and therapy, we fell in love with this summer read. Here are three things we love about Cursed Boys and Broken Hearts!
Image Source: Penguin Random House
Book Overview: Cursed Boys And Broken Hearts
Content Warnings: homophobia, depression, mention of grandparent deaths, divorce, trauma
Summary: Grant Rossi is never getting a happily-ever-after.
Ever since he was a kid and made a wish on his family’s iconic Wishing Rose, his romantic relationships have been cursed to end. Following his most recent (and extremely public) dumping, Grant is languishing in a hot Chicago summer, abandoning his beloved design projects to sink back into depression. But when his family suggests spending the summer helping his aunt and uncle refurbish their beautiful but rundown B&B and vineyard—the home of the Wishing Rose that changed everything for him—Grant decides to accept. Maybe he can finally find a way to recover his creative spark…and break his curse.
But things at the vineyard are not what Grant expects. The place is in almost total disrepair, and—even worse—the person his relatives hired to help is his former childhood crush, Ben—the first boy who broke his heart.
As their chemistry sparks and the summer heats up, the wedge between them can’t be ignored. But while they race to restore the B&B in time for the beloved local rose festival, grumpy but lovable Ben starts to break through Grant’s carefully crafted defenses. Can Grant find a way to overcome his curse and open his heart, even when it’s broken?
Grant’s Character Development
In the beginning of Cursed Boys and Broken Hearts, Grant Rossi fully believes that he’s cursed. That he’s the reason why his relationships never last long. But after weeks of staying with his aunt and uncle at the Vero Roseto Garden Inn & Vineyard, he’s able to reevaluate his curse. It’s taken him five years to find out what really happened between his ex-boyfriend, Hutch, and longtime crush, Ben, when they were 13. As he starts to trust himself not to “ruin” things, he can finally break his curse. And we couldn’t be more proud!
Aunt Ro
We all have those nosy relatives who mean well, right? Well, Grant’s Aunt Ro won us over with her lovely personality. She’s been running the B&B and vineyard ever since her mother passed, even when it’s in danger of closing down. And she’s been a safe space and supportive of Grant through everything. It’s partly thanks to her meddling that Grant and Ben find their way back to each other. Aunt Ro and her husband Paul have such a sweet marriage. We were gushing over them almost as much as the main love interests.
The Rose Festival
Maybe we’re too much of a romantic, but seeing Cursed Boys and Broken Hearts culminate with the annual Rose Festival healed us. We can only imagine how breathtaking Grant’s flower gown designs looked, along with the centerpiece for the Wishing Rose bush. The atmosphere feels so dreamy, and we wish to experience something similar in our lifetime. We also loved the full-circle ending between Grant and Ben as they make another wish with the Wishing Rose. Only this time, they have a better understanding of themselves and are learning how to be a couple for real.
Adam Sass outdoes himself with Cursed Boys and Broken Hearts, a deeply personal and complex second chance romance that made us feel all the emotions!
Cursed Boys and Broken Hearts by Adam Sass releases July 16th, and you can preorder a copy of it here!
What do you think of Adam Sass’s Cursed Boys and Broken Hearts? Is it one of your favorite books by Adam Sass yet? Let us know on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram!
Explore the world of love through a variety of lenses. Here’s a collection of powerful films that each portray love and romance in a unique way, spanning multiple genres including drama, comedy, fantasy, animation, and sci-fi.
“Cinema is a mirror by which we often see ourselves.”
Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu
Movies give us the opportunity to explore major themes in life in a meaningful and profound way.
A powerful film can lead to a better understanding of your own experiences. It can communicate thoughts and emotions that may have been challenging to express; and, at times, completely reshape our perspective on life.
For better or worse, movies play a pivotal role in shaping our beliefs and map of reality. We pick up ideas through films, sometimes absorbed at a very young age, and those ideas find their way into our daily lives influencing our choices and perspectives.
Filmmakers understand the transformative power of cinema, purposely using it to shake up people’s consciousness. The goal of a solid film is to create an experience that leaves you a different person by the end of it.
As viewers, it’s essential to be aware of a film’s effects both emotionally and intellectually. Often, the movies that linger in our thoughts long after watching are the most impactful and life-changing.
Here’s a collection of classic films about love and romance. Each movie has had a lasting influence on audiences in one way or another. It’s an eclectic list that spans multiple genres, including drama, comedy, animation, fantasy, mystery, and sci-fi.
Titanic (1997)
James Cameron’s epic tale blends love and tragedy against the historical backdrop of the Titanic’s sinking in 1912. The film weaves a captivating narrative of a forbidden romance blossoming amidst a natural disaster.
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004)
In this mind-bending story, a man attempts to erase the memories of a lost love using cutting-edge technology, only to find fate conspiring to bring the couple back together repeatedly. The film explores the complexities of memory, love, and destiny.
Beauty and the Beast (1991)
Disney’s classic adaptation of the French fairy tale is celebrated for its beautiful animation and memorable songs. The film goes beyond appearances, illustrating the transformative power of true love.
Her (2013)
Set in a near-future world, “Her” tells the unconventional love story of a lonely man who forms a deep connection with his computer’s operating system. The film delves into themes of technology, loneliness, and the nature of human connection.
Before Sunrise (1995)
Richard Linklater’s film follows two young tourists who meet on a train in Europe and share an unforgettable night in Vienna. The movie explores the transient nature of connections and the profound impact of brief encounters.
Lost in Translation (2003)
Sofia Coppola’s film features a washed-up American celebrity and a young woman forging an unexpected bond in Tokyo. “Lost in Translation” navigates themes of loneliness, connection, and self-discovery.
Cinema Paradiso (1988)
An Italian filmmaker reflects on his past and learns how to channel his love in a different and creative way through his art and craftsmanship.
Past Lives (2023)
Two childhood friends reconnect after years apart, seeking to unravel the meaning behind their enduring connection. The film explores the complexities of friendship, time, and shared history.
Set in a dystopian future, “The Lobster” challenges societal norms by presenting a world where individuals must choose a romantic partner within 45 days or face transformation into an animal. The film satirizes the pressure to conform in matters of love.
Annie Hall (1977)
Woody Allen’s classic romantic comedy is a hilarious and heartfelt movie that explores neurotic love and the psychological obstacles we commonly face in marriage and long-term relationships.
Your Name. (2016)
A masterful anime that combines elements of science fiction, fantasy, and romance. It centers on a mysterious connection between a boy and girl who swap bodies, learn about each other’s lives, and search to find each other in real life.
A Woman Under the Influence (1974)
John Cassavetes’ uncomfortably raw and dramatic portrayal of the profound impact of mental illness on marriage and family, navigating the complexities with unflinching honesty.
The Fountain (2006)
Darren Aronofsky’s “The Fountain” explores love and mortality through three interconnected storylines spanning different time periods. The film delves into themes of eternal love and the quest for immortality, providing a visually stunning and emotionally resonant experience.
Scenes From a Marriage (1974)
Legendary director Ingmar Bergman’s deeply incisive and detailed chronicle of a rocky marriage’s final days.
Choose one movie and analyze it
Each of these films offers a different perspective on love while also pushing the boundaries of cinema and story-telling.
It’s fun to compare each story: How did the couples meet? What defined “love” for them? What obstacles did they face? Did the relationship work out in the end or not? Why?
While films are often seen as just a source of entertainment or healthy escapism, they can also be an avenue for self-improvement and growth.
The “Movie Analysis Worksheet” is designed to make you think about the deeper themes behind a film and extract some lessons from it that you can apply to your life.
Watch with a friend and discuss
If you don’t want to do the worksheet, just watch one of the movies with a friend (or loved one) – then discuss it after.
Watching a film together is an opportunity to share a new experience. It can also spark up interesting conversations. This is one reason why bonding through movies is one of the most common ways we connect with people in today’s world.
Which film will you check out?
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BURBANK, CA—Announcing the Beauty And The Beast character was available for public use as of Jan. 1, 2024, Disney CEO Bob Iger confirmed Tuesday that the company was relinquishing the rights to LeFou decades before the film’s copyright expired. “Go ahead, put LeFou in whatever silly slasher films you like—we do not care for him, and we never have,” said Iger, who called upon DreamWorks, Warner Bros., or “whoever the fuck” to go ahead and use the character in whatever creative projects they like. “If you want to use LeFou, we won’t sue you. So go on. You have my word. Technically, the copyright isn’t until 2086, but we hate that little shit. Just promise you won’t try to make him look cool because he’s not cool—he fucking sucks.” At press time, Iger added that anyone who tried to touch Lumière would be fucking dead.
It’s December, which means it’s officially acceptable to put your Christmas decorations up.
Unfortunately for one Disney fan, her House of Mouse-inspired Yuletide ornament turned out to be nightmare fuel, with the bizarre effigy traumatizing people online.
Shaped like a Christmas tree, the knick-knack features three tiers of snow-covered Disney scenes—two of which include cartoon famous princesses and their beaus rotating around the snow-covered trunk.
Left: A Disney Christmas tree ornament from Temu. Right: Social media influencer Seb Laz. TikToker Seb Laz’s mom was “devastated” by the bizarre ornament. TikTok/@sebbylaz
However, the ornament was not quite what Laz’s mom expected, with the TikToker zooming in on the characters’ mutilated faces.
“The BIG Mermaid,” he jokes, showing a close-up of a distorted Ariel and Prince Eric from the 1989 animated feature film.
The prince’s hair appears to have merged with his face, while his forehead sports an impressive monobrow. Ariel does not fare much better, with the underside of her fringe monstrously blending into her skull.
Next up is Belle and Prince Adam from Beauty and the Beast (1991). While the Beast doesn’t look much different from his cartoon self, Belle’s face appears to have melted, with her eyes sitting wonkily at different heights on her head.
Snow White and Prince Florian, from the 1937 classic Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, also look to be having a rough time. Dubbed “Snow Yellow” by Laz, the princess is another victim of melted-face syndrome, while Florian’s enlarged forehead gives off Frankenstein’s monster vibes.
Sleeping Beauty—or as Laz renames her, “Sleeping Ugly”—and her painted-on smile could give anyone bad dreams, while her prince appears to be missing chunks of hair and skin.
“CinderFella” seems to have suffered far less than the other princesses in the mix, but her prince should sue his eyebrow waxer, with circular splotches dabbed right in the center of his forehead.
While Laz doesn’t give a clear shot of “POCABOUNDA”—in other words, the star of the 1995 cartoon Pocahontas—the head tilt would suggest she’s looking into John Smith’s eyes, while his runaway pupils peer up into the sky.
According to the caption, Laz’s mom was “devastated,” with the influencer unable to decide “which was the worst one.”
Fellow TikTokers found the footage hilarious, with the clip receiving more than 2 million views in 24 hours.
Left: A close-up of “Sleeping Ugly.” Right: A close-up of “Snow Yellow.” TikTok users found the unfortunate order mix-up hilarious. TikTok/@sebbylaz
“Was it rescued from a fire??” asked Liv Murphy.
“Looks like it was painted while it was spinning,” said Lucy.
“Their beauty is on the inside,” suggested Jessica Harrington.
“Cursed…. Definitely cursed,” wrote Lora, while user6037178677593 dubbed it the ornament “so awful it’s fabulous.”
Even Temu commented on the video, asking Laz to share his order details so the company could “assist you in resolving any issues.”
The app is a subsidiary of Chinese online retailer Pinduoduo and offers a wide range of products at low prices, from homeware to fashion, toys and electronics.
However, Temu has also been criticized for allegedly losing orders, sending knock-off items, refusing refunds and poor customer service. The Better Business Bureau (BBB) has received over 1,300 complaints about the app in the past year, with the organization giving Temu a “C-” rating.
Newsweek has reached out to Seb Laz and Temu for comment via email.
Uncommon Knowledge
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
Sure, it’s “a tale as old as time,” but Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast” actually turned 30 this year — a full Selena Gomez, for comparison.
So, on Thursday, ABC celebrated with a live-action and animated extravaganza directed by “Step Up” and “Crazy Rich Asians” auteur Jon M. Chu, headlined by marquee talent: H.E.R. as Belle, Josh Groban as Beast, Shania Twain as Mrs. Potts, Martin Short as Lumière and more. With clips of the original animation being interspersed with the stage performance, the costumes by Marina Toybina (winner of six Emmys, two of which were for “The Masked Singer”) helped create seamless continuity, while honoring the significance of the 1991 classic to ardent fans.
“The most challenging part is, how do you pay respect to the classic, but at the same time, try to give a [modern] take on the characters?” says Toybina.
With her team, Toybina built around 300 original costumes in just over two and a half months. Ahead, she takes us through the costume highlights.
Belle’s ‘Provincial’ Aesthetic
Belle (H.E.R.) in a modern-leaning denim dress, accessorized with a wicker basket and a book.
Photo: Christopher Willard/Courtesy of ABC
Toybina meshed 18th-century period authenticity with the vivid animation in our memories to introduce H.E.R.’s Belle as she goes about her day in her “provincial town.” She considered and sampled roughly “40 different tones” of organic fabrics, like cotton and linen, to illustrate Belle’s small village origins, before ultimately landing on a vibrant blue and circle-patterned denim for the overall dress, worn over a white puff-sleeve blouse.
The silhouette — with a corset and v-shaped stomacher — are period-correct, but Toybina forwent the structural padding under the soft muslin skirt layers. The end result communicates that Bell is a “free spirit and somebody that’s unique and stands out from the village,” she says.
“I made it more my own by bringing a little bit of a modern touch as far as adding certain details and trims, like an old-school belt and these worn-out shoes. I wanted there to be a life and a story to the character at the same time, and to make it as accurate [to history, but as] modern as I could.”
Belle’s Wintry Pink Cape and Gown
Belle’s pink dupioni gown.
Photo: Christopher Willard/Courtesy of ABC
The castle’s beloved staff-turned-homewares observe “Something There” between the Beast and Belle, who’s changed into a gown and cloak more appropriate for captivity. Memories of her pink, fur-trimmed ensemble from the movie remain just as vivid as the duo’s playful snowball fight.
“I can’t even tell you how many swatches I had of getting us to the right tones,” says Toybina, who referred to the exact Pantone shades of pink, while again remaining historically accurate to the corseted structure of the gown. “This is where you see an evolution of her wardrobe: There’s a pannier-like foundation underneath the three-layered skirting.”
In connecting all the familiar characters to each other and tracking back to the striking animation, Toybina “focused on significant fabrics — a dupioni and a taffeta to really bring those interesting textures to the show,” she says. Belle’s pink gown is constructed of multiple silk dupioni layers to bring the animated character to life. “But again, changing the design just enough to make it a little bit more contemporary.”
Toybina modernized the iconic look with a ribboned lace-up detail on the bodice, ruffle trims on the capelet, tonal color-blocking and on-trend matching gloves.
“I did go with a faux-fur accent on the cape,” she adds.
Belle’s Gilded Yellow Princess Gown
Belle’s new yellow-gold gown, with petal-like skirting.
Photo: Christopher Willard/Courtesy of ABC
Belle’s yellow finale ball gown remains the most iconic look from the 1991 film, immortalized by princess dolls, Halloween costumes and movie merch. For the 2017 live-action film, Jacqueline Durran even told Fashionista that determining the exact shade of yellow was “really a process.”
Toybina more than agrees, explaining that she conducted her own forensic analysis of the origin of the iconic shade, asking: “Is it a gold dress? Is it a yellow dress?” She considered the original film and any color-correcting, plus studied angles and shading.
“It was a gold dress that then evolved with time into a yellow dress,” says Toybina about the results of her research. “It was a mixture of both.”
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Ultimately, she decided to “not do a replica” of the original, also to highlight H.E.R.’s portrayal of the influential character: “I really wanted that to become her moment, as well.”
Fairy tale ending.
Photo: Christopher Willard/Courtesy of ABC
Toybina opted for luxurious textiles and techniques, like four types of pleating to create regal volume. “I definitely took it a step forward in the gold elements in the accents — and to make it more now,” she says, noting how she took “a very fashion approach” in designing the gown, also pulling inspiration from contemporary designers such as Alexander McQueen, Thierry Mugler and Daniel Roseberry’s Schiaparelli.
She also illustrated the fairy tale’s underlying theme of the rose through the gown design. “What can I do to make the yellow version of the rose?” she says. “What can I do to create the softness and elegance?” So, she experimented to create a specialty drape that represents rose petals.
“That was my inspiration to finish off the show strong, with a different interpretation of our hero dress,” says Toybina, “turning H.E.R. into that love story and [giving her] that happily-ever ending moment with my version of the gown.”
The Enchanted Costumes of Lumière, Mrs. Potts and Cogsworth
Lumière (Martin Short), Mrs. Potts (Shania Twain), Chip (Leo Abelo Perry) and Cogsworth (David Alan Grier).
Photo: Christopher Willard/Courtesy of ABC
When you have triple-threats like Martin Short, Shania Twain and David Alan Grier as singing and emoting castle décor, you just cannot cover their faces with costumes ‚ or so decided Toybina, Chu and producers after many deep discussions.
“I really wanted to let these characters come to life, and you can’t really do that when you’re restricting them,” says Toybina, who studied copious iterations of “Beauty and the Beast” performances, from Broadway to middle-school plays. “I wanted to see what magic is brought forward to these characters in the past.”
Toybina applied techniques learned and developed over her career, which also includes “So You Think You Can Dance” and Katy Perry’s 2015 Super Bowl Halftime Show. “Once I saw the casting, I started manipulating the artwork to make sure it was just the right costume for each our cast,” she says.
For Short’s Lumière, Toybina employed textile pattern-making and fabric manipulation to “create this swirl of a candelabra effect,” as opposed to using a molded structural design. (Though she did use latex builds to attach faux burning candles around decorative arm bands.) She also infuse historically-accurate interior design details, like reflecting the sheen and type of gold from the period.
To coordinate Lumière with Twain’s Mrs. Potts and Grier’s Cogsworth, Toybina created patterns with handmade latex and silicone decals, to emulate elaborate Rococo curves and molding. The intricate golden detailing runs teapot-lid-to-corset-to-porcelain-body-and-spout on Mrs. Potts, as well as on Cogsworth’s gilded headpiece and shoulder panels — “very much inspired by the now and details of what would it look like if you were a teapot and bringing this elegance,” says Toybina.
The Not-so-Beastly Prince
Prince only (Josh Groban).
Photo: Christopher Willard/Courtesy of ABC
“It’s the most unexpected way to represent the Beast,” says Toybina of Groban’s double-portrayal of the Prince-turned-Beast-turned-back-to-Prince.
Let’s just say that Chu and Toybina successfully addressed the age-old controversy of Beast v. the Prince in the forever-jarring finale reveal by having Groban operate and inhabit a 10-foot-tall Beast puppet. “It’s done in the most intricate yet detailed, simplistic and just brilliant way possible,” says Toybina, who custom-designed the puppet. (Head fabricator of the Beast team Erik Haskell led the build.)
The Prince-Beast.
Photo: Christopher Willard/Courtesy of ABC
The audience can see and experience Groban’s facial expressions and body language as the cursed Prince. “By [Groban] being that connected and able to emote through physically puppeteering the Beast, it’s almost feeling like he’s trapped and couldn’t get out,” says Toybina, like he literally “has the weight on the shoulder.”
She coordinated the Prince and Beast throughout via connecting dark-toned colorways and textiles, which also allude to the transformation and character evolution.
“The Prince is still present with us through this entire storyline, and, at the end, all we see is a transformation once through his costume,” says Toybina. This avoids the introduction of a whole new Prince face in the finale, when we’re used to the cuddly Beast at that point: “Because of that, you stay so connected to his character, beginning to end.”
