Disney’s upcoming live-action adaptation of "Beauty and the Beast" has become one of the most anticipated movies of the year. Now, the already heightened level of anticipation will likely ratchet up a notch with the announcement that it's the first film to feature the an openly gay character in Disney's history.Speaking to Attitude Magazine as part of the films press, director Bill Condon revealed that Josh Gad's LeFou, the sidekick to Gaston, will have his own subplot that deals with the characters sexuality.“LeFou is somebody who on one day wants to be Gaston and on another day wants to kiss Gaston,” Condon said. “He’s confused about what he wants. It’s somebody who’s just realising that he has these feelings. And Josh makes something really subtle and delicious out of it. And that’s what has its payoff at the end, which I don’t want to give away. But it is a nice, exclusively gay moment in a Disney movie.”Obviously, this is a huge moment for the company, as Disney as traditionally shied away from dealing with sexuality in films. Condon has drawn praise from his actors in delivering the first openly gay character to the screen, with Gad tweeting out that he was “beyond proud” to be playing the role.

Directed by Bill Condon, "Beauty and the Beast" stars Emma Watson as Belle, Dan Stevens as the Beast, Luke Evans as Gaston, Kevin Kline as Mauricer, Josh Gad as Lefou, Ewan McGregor as Lumiere, Stanley Tucci as Maestro Cadenza, Gugu Mbatha-Raw as Plumette, Audra McDonald as Madame Garderobe, Ian McKellen as Cogsworth, and Emma Thompson as Mrs. Potts.

“Beauty and the Beast” debuts in theaters March 17, 2017.