Find Out Who Will Play The Beast Alongside Emma Watson In ‘Beauty And The Beast’

Back in January we brought you the news that Emma Watson was becoming a Disney princess IRL. The Harry Potter star is to play Belle in the real-action remake of Beauty and the Beast.

But who will be her Beast? It was rumoured that Ryan Gosling was going to put on the blue and gold jacket, but now it has been revealed that her co-star is also a Brit. It has been confirmed that it is Downton Abbey's Dan Stevens who will be growing a beastly beard.

He appeared to confirm the news on Twitter by tweeting a sign which reads 'BEAST MODE.' According to The Hollywood Reporter Welsh actor Luke Evans will play the villain, Gaston.

The 1991 animation is the latest Disney classic to be given the Maleficent treatment. It will be directed by Bill Condon, with a script written by Stephen Chbosky.

Dan Stevens' character Matthew Crawley was killed off Downton Abbey in 2012. He played on Broadway against Jessica Chastain and starred in films The Guest and Summer of February.

Emma Watson wrote on her Facebook page about the casting: “I’m finally able to tell you … that I will be playing Belle in Disney’s new live-action ‘Beauty and the Beast’! It was such a big part of my growing up, it almost feels surreal that I’ll get to dance to ‘Be Our Guest’ and sing ‘Something There’. My six-year-old self is on the ceiling — heart bursting. Time to start some singing lessons. I can’t wait for you to see it. Emma xx.”