In the news|March 09, 2015 08:43 EDT
'Beauty and the Beast' Cast News: Dan Stevens Tapped for New Disney Live-Action Film
The highly anticipated live adaptation of Disney's Beauty and the Beast (released in 1991) keeps piling on the talented and beautiful British actors. Dan Stevens, most known for his role as Matthew Crawley in PBS' Downton Abbey and David in Adam Wingard's action thriller The Guest, will play Beast/Prince in Beauty and the Beast.
On his Twitter feed, the 32-year-old promising actor tweeted a simple black and white image that reads "Beast Mode" on Wednesday night. Emma Watson, who will play Belle, also tweeted that she "could not be more happy" that Stevens will play Beast.
Luke Evans, known as Bard in The Hobbit franchise, will also star in the film as he will play the brawny and narcissistic Gaston. Evans also received a warm welcome from Watson on her Twitter account saying "Bonjour Gaston! Welcome!"
Whether or not the live-action film will be a musical or not is still uncertain. However, Watson tends to hint on Twitter that it will be. She said, "It was such a big part of my growing up, it almost feels surreal that I'll get to dance to 'Be Our Guest' and sing 'Something There'. My six year old self is on the ceiling-heart bursting. Time to start some singing lessons. I can't wait for you to see it."
Beauty will be the third live-action film that has been adapted from a Disney classic. The live-action Cinderella directed by Kenneth Branagh, opens on March 13 and also had a cast of almost all British actors and actresses. Maleficent, released last year was a highly successful adaptation of the Disney classic Sleeping Beauty as it made $758.4 million worldwide.
Bill Condon is set to direct Beauty and the Beast while David Hoberman and Todd Lieberman will produce. As it stands, the show is set to start production later this year.