UPDATED: Belle finds her “Beast”?
As if we hadn’t been pleasantly surprised today by the announcement that Luke Evans was joining Emma Watson in the live-action retelling of Beauty and the Beast, we have just learned of another possible casting!
According to the Hollywood Reporter, Downton Abbey star Dan Stevens is currently in talks to portray the man-turned-beast-turned-man opposite Emma! The actor even posted the following to his Twitter account, giving rise to the talk that he has snagged the role!
— Dan Stevens (@thatdanstevens) March 5, 2015
Since his split from the popular PBS series, which also stars Dame Maggie Smith, Stevens has been choosing much different roles in action and suspense films like A Walk Among the Tombstones and the upcoming Criminal Activities. This potential casting is interesting, considering that Stevens has a history in theater as well, adding further fuel to the fire that this will not just be a live-action film, but will also be a musical. Emma posted at the time her role in the film was confirmed that she would be starting singing lessons for the production:
With this bit of news, we wonder who will be cast next? Stay tuned as we attempt to round out the cast for the film with our own MuggleNet Fan Casting!
UPDATED:
Emma earlier tweeted her approval of the casting for the Beast, seeming to confirm that Downton Abbey star, Dan Stevens, would be taking the role of the Beast! She also confirmed that Luke Evans would be taking the role of Gaston.
Could not be more happy that this man will be Beast!!! Welcome aboard @thatdanstevens #beautyandthebeast pic.twitter.com/F1ghG3pvcU
— Emma Watson (@EmmaWatson) March 5, 2015
Do you approve of this casting? How excited are you to see Dan Stevens play the Beast opposite Emma? Let us know in the comments!
