Picture it: Idris Elba flexing his muscles as he struts on top of a table to Gaston’s big song in Beauty and the Beast.

While it may seem like an impossible fantasy, the actor tells People editor-in-chief Jess Cagle that it almost really happened. Sitting down for the latest edition of The Jess Cagle Interview in this week’s issue, Elba reveals he auditioned for Disney’s live-action adaptation.

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Laurie Sparham /© Walt Disney Pictures /courtesy Everett Collection

“I honestly love musicals. I auditioned for Beauty and the Beast. I really did, for Gaston,” Elba says. “I called and said, ‘Listen, I want in!’ So somewhere they have a tape of me singing.”

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Unfortunately, the actor says the tape of his audition is nowhere to be found. As for whether the actor resents Luke Evans for getting the role instead, Elba had a cheeky answer.

“No, only a little bit. No! I love you Luke, you know that,” Elba jokes.

Elba’s next film The Mountain Between Us—also starring Kate Winslet—hits theaters Oct. 6.