Dan Stevens in Talks to Play the Beast Opposite Emma Watson in Disney’s ‘Beauty and the Beast’

Bill Condon is directing the latest live-action adaptation of the classic fairy tale

Dan Stevens
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“Downton Abbey” alum Dan Stevens is in negotiations to take on the role of the titular cursed Prince in Disney’s live-action “Beauty and the Beast,” an individual with knowledge of the project told TheWrap.

Emma Watson is on board to play Belle, while earlier Wednesday Luke Evans signed on to portray Gaston.

Bill Condon (“The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn”) will direct from a script written by Stephen Chbosky, who directed Watson in “The Perks of Being a Wallflower.” Evan Spiliotopoulos wrote the previous draft of the screenplay.

David Hoberman and Todd Lieberman are producing under their Mandeville Films banner.

“Beauty and the Beast” is the latest Disney classic to receive a live-action adaptation following “Maleficent,” Friday’s “Cinderella” and Jon Favreau‘s upcoming take on “The Jungle Book.”

Stevens is best known for his role as Matthew Crawley on PBS’ “Downton Abbey.” He left the show in 2012. He recently starred in Condon’s Wikileaks drama “The Fifth Estate” and also led Sundance thriller “The Guest.” He is represented by WME.

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