'Beauty and the Beast' Release Date, Cast Rumors: Dan Stevens, Luke Evans and Emma Watson Star
"Downtown Abbey" regular Dan Stevens has just been announced to play Beast opposite Emma Watson in the live action, "Beauty and the Beast," with "Dracula Untold" star Luke Evans joining the movie to play Gaston.
Dan Stevens, the actor who plays Matthew Crawley on the soon-to-be-discontinued PBS British period drama, "Downtown Abbey" has been fielded to play the cursed Beast alongside "Harry Potter" ingénue witch, Emma Watson as the female lead, Belle. Today, news emerged that "The Hobbit" actor Luke Evans will be joining the cast as the narcissistic antagonist Gaston.
Stevens, 32, confirmed the role on social media with a giant black and white "Beast Mode" meme on Twitter.
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The film will be a Walt Disney Studios live-action fantasy film set for release in U.S. theaters next year. Watson, who signed on to play Disney princess Belle two months, ago admitted the movie will be a musical.
"I will be playing Belle in Disney's new live-action Beauty and the Beast! 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,'" 24-year-old Watson posted on her Facebook wall in January. "My six year old self is on the ceiling - heart bursting. Time to start some singing lessons."
Watson further confirmed Stevens' participation in the film yesterday with a shoutout on Twitter featuring an image of the surprised suit-clad actor in front of nature exhibit.
She also tweeted a welcome for Luke Evans who has been signed to play the egotistical villain, Gaston.
After rumors of recent Oscar winner, Eddie Redmayne passing on the role, Welsh actor and singer Evans, 35, who has also starred in "The Three Musketeers," "Fast & Furious 6," and "Immortals," confirmed his participation as the handsome and conceited bully.
The live-action Disney film will be directed by "Dreamgirls" and "The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn" helmsman, Bill Condon, and be produced by Mandeville Films' Todd Lieberman and David Hoberman for a 2016 release date.
