Rizwan Manji Talks Beauty and the Best: A 30th Celebration, Bringing His Flavor to LeFou, and Creating Disney Magic

Rizwan Manji needs no introduction. The gifted storyteller acts, produces, directs, and writes, and has over 100 credits to his name. He’s best known for projects including Schitt’s Creek, Transformers, The Dictator, and Charlie Wilson’s War.

This winter, he steps into his most challenging role to date as LeFou in Beauty and the Beast: A 30th Celebration. Part animation and part live action, the must-see special showcases the fan-favorite movie along with new memorable musical performances.

Pop Culturalist was lucky enough to speak with Rizwan about Beauty and the Beast: A 30th Celebration, how he brought his flavor to LeFow, and creating Disney magic.

PC: You’re starring in Beauty and the Beast: A 30th Celebration. What can fans and audiences expect from the special?
Rizwan: It’s going to be something that people have never seen on TV before. It’s going to be part animation, which is the animation that we all saw 30 years ago, and part live action. It really is a magical celebration. There’s no other way to describe it. I actually haven’t seen it yet, so I’ll be watching it with audiences.

PC: These are all beloved characters that we know and love and that have lived in different mediums. What’s something new that you wanted to bring to LeFou? How were you able to make him your own?
Rizwan: When I found out that they wanted me to play LeFou, I was actually really nervous because I’m not a singer or dancer. Then I found out that I was going to be working with Grammy and Tony winners. It’s the cream of the crop in musical theater. That’s when I got even more nervous. [laughs] I actually didn’t sleep for two weeks! It was very challenging but also one of the most exciting things that I’ve ever gotten to do in my career. It was such an awesome experience. I hope that I brought my own humor to it. I love Josh Gad who’s played LeFou before and I love the animation, but I’m hoping that people will see that I brought my little flavor to it as well.

PC: Early photos of the productions have been released. Everything looks incredible. What was it like seeing yourself fully transformed as LeFou for the first time?
Rizwan: [laughs] I was like, “Is anyone going to recognize me?” They had me shave my mustache. I was so scared to do that. I was like, “Am I ever going to work again?” [laughs] I never got any jobs. Then I grew a mustache, and all of sudden I started getting hired. Now they were telling me to shave it off. I was like, “I’m never going to work again.” Then I got the wig and the amazing costume, and I was like, “Wait a minute, is that me?”

PC: I definitely didn’t recognize you! You’ve said that this is one of the most challenging projects that you’ve worked on. What was that preparation like? What did you learn about your craft?
Rizwan: I actually worked with two vocal coaches who really helped me out. They helped me get the vocal quality that I needed for LeFou because he has a very distinct accent. Although it doesn’t have to be exactly the same, we wanted it to sound familiar. That was the preparation.

Then I worked with Jamal Sims who is our choreographer. That was challenging as well. In the animation, LeFou is falling off tables. He needs to have that energy and excitement in the live action. It’s a very slapstick choreography. Jamal helped me through that. I’m really proud of the work that I’ve done. I’ve never done anything like this before, but I put the work in. Hopefully, it paid off.

PC: This is also a version of LeFou and Gaston that we have never seen before. What was it like working with Joshua Henry as you brought that to life?
Rizwan: First of all, he’s such an amazing talent. It was really intimidating. He’s a legitimate Broadway star. He’s doing Into the Woods right now as we’re speaking. He was like, “I’ve got to fly back to New York to be in Into the Woods.” I’m like, “Wait. You’re doing this every day, and I have to do this one day and I’m nervous?” [laughs] It was really intimidating, but he’s so funny. He has amazing comic timing. There’s a new dance routine that they created for Gaston. It’s something that you’ve never seen him do before. That one he does with the rest of the ensemble. It’s my favorite.

As far as working with him, I think we had really good chemistry. That’s really important because LeFou loves Gaston. There has to be this relationship that’s odd yet fun. I’m hoping that translates when you watch it.

PC: What has it meant for you to be a part of this iconic franchise? What do you hope audiences take away?
Rizwan: I want to say that it’s a dream come true, but did I ever dream that I was going to be in a Disney musical? I don’t think it was ever even in the realm of my thoughts. So it’s beyond a dream come true. I really love the diversity. This is one of the most diverse Disney projects, and I’m so glad to be a part of it. We all felt that magic as we were making it. I don’t know if I expressed how much fun I had, but this is one of the most fun things that I’ve ever done. We had a live audience, and that was such a different experience.

PC: Outside of this project, what’s next for you? What’s left on your bucket list?
Rizwan: I want to be a superhero. I’m going to be in Shazam: Fury of the Gods. That’s coming out next March. I’m really excited about that, but I don’t play a superhero. I would love to do that. I’m ready. I need to be like Kumail Nanjiani and get in really good shape, but I’m willing to do the work!

To keep up with Rizwan, follow him on Twitter and Instagram. Watch Beauty and the Beast: A 30th Celebration at 8/7c on ABC. Stream it the next day on Disney+.

Photo Credit: ABC