Dan Stevens (Photo : Reuters)
According to the Hollywood Reporter, Dan Stevens has finally negotiated to play the part of the Prince / Beast in Disney's "Beauty and the Beast." He will be joining Emma Watson, who plays Belle alongside Luke Evans, who also signed to take the part of the villain, Gaston.
Producers, David Hoberman and Todd Liebermann, will work side by side with director Bill Condon in this highly British cast production, Variety reported. Disney's continuous promotion of its animated classic led to the production of "Beauty and the Beast." Prior to this, the release of "Cinderella" has already been set for March 31.
In 2014, the live action release of "Maleficent," which was a take from the animated Disney classic "Sleeping Beauty," made it huge amassing a total of $758.4 million worldwide.
"Beauty and the Beast" is a French fairy tale about a woman who begs to be taken as a prisoner in exchange of her father. She was eventually taken and left to live in an old, vast castle with a living beast whom she eventually fell in love. Although there was no definitive confirmation whether the retelling is going to be musical, speculations spread citing Watson, "It was such a big part of my growing up, it almost feels surreal that I'll get to dance with [...] Be our guest' and 'Say something there'.. Time to start some singing lessons."
Stevens taking the role may mean a good thing for his record as he is also working on getting supporting roles for "A Walk Among The Tombstones" and "Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb." Stevens last casting for a main character was the Adam Wingard's action thriller, "The Guest." His breakout movie however, was "Downton Abbey" where he played the character of Matthew Crawley.
