Dan Stevens to Take on the Role of the Beast in New Live Action Disney Film

Downton Abbey fans will see a familiar face in Disney’s new live action adaptation of Beauty and the Beast. Dan Stevens (Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb, The Fifth Estate) is in negotiations to play the Beast opposite Emma Watson (Harry Potter franchise, The Perks of Being a Wallflower) who will take on the role of Belle. Bill Condon (The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 1 and 2, Dreamgirls) takes the director’s seat.

The remake of Beauty and the Beast tells the story of a young girl who offers to take her father’s place as a prisoner in the isolated castle of a hideous beast that turns out to be a prince under a spell.

Disney’s 1991 animated version showcased the voice work of Paige O’Hara as Belle and Robby Benson as the Beast. The new production appears to be featuring an all-British cast with Emma Thompson rumored to be playing Mrs. Potts. The film is scheduled to release in 2016 and continues Disney’s efforts to update the studio’s animated fairytales into live action versions.