Downton Abbey’s Dan Stevens Cast as Beast in Live-Action Beauty and the Beast

Downton Abbey star Dan Stevens has been officially added as the Beast for the live-action Beauty and the Beast movie from Walt Disney Pictures.

The Hollywood Reporter, ehem, reports that Stevens will be joining Emma Watson who will play Belle in the film. Also more interesting is the fact that Luke Evans (Dracula Untold, The Hobbit) will be playing the man’s man Gaston in this picture.

Mind you also the film will be a straight up remake of the classic 1991 animated feature and not a “reimagining” like Maleficent. We’re just not sure if Mrs. Potts, Chip or even Lumiere will be part of this movie. Hope they do. So they can have THIS:

It will be directed by Bill Condon (“The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn”), from a script written by Stephen Chbosky.