Beauty and the Beast live-action musical prequel series delayed indefinitely at Disney+

Disney's upcoming prequel series to Beauty and the Beast is now postponed due to creative and scheduling issues. 

Deadline cited sources that said the shooting was slated to commence in Europe but was stalled as the script and original score were behind schedule. The shoot was already postponed from spring to summer and pushing it further would have led to further complications. Hence, the makers have decided to revisit the show at a later time. 

This development comes right at the heels of Rita Ora and Fra Free's casting.  

Read the singer-actor's reaction here:

The prequel was set to follow the haughty Gaston (Luke Evans) and the comedic LeFou (Josh Gad). The story would have been set in the same kingdom as Beauty and the Beast and would have seen Gaston and LeFou set off on an unexpected journey with Tilly (Briana Middleton). Jelani Alladin was also announced as part of the acting team.

The series was announced last year in June. Gad along with Once Upon a Time duo Edward Kitsis and Adam Horowitz were joining hands as co-creators and executive producers. Alan Menken had been tapped as the composer, while Glen Slater was supposed to pen the lyrics for the first episode. 

Gad took to Twitter and confirmed that Beauty and the Beast spinoff has been put on hold.

Here is his tweet: