Last year, Disney announced that it was developing a live-action version of its classic animated film, Beauty and the Beast. Regarded by many as one of the best films ever to be produced at Walt Disney Animation Studios, the live-action film is not only set to retell the tale of Belle, Beast, and Gaston, but it will also use some of the songs from the animated film as well. We knew who is playing Belle, but today we learned who will star as Beast and Gaston. Find out who after the break!
Belle is to be played by Emma Watson, world-renowned for her turn as Hermione Granger in the Harry Potter films. Since she completed her work in the eight-film series, she branched out to significantly smaller films, such as The Perks of Being A Wallflower and My Week With Marilyn, where she was lauded for her wide range of acting abilities.
Dan Stevens (left) and Luke Evans (right)
The other major piece of casting news came just a few hours later, with Variety reporting that Luke Evans is in final negotiations to star as Gaston, the villainous (and quite narcissistic) character who vies for Belle’s heart. Evans, known for his work as the dwarf Bard in the Hobbit films, is stepping into a much larger (and iconic) role, and he will certainly have his work cut out for him (along with the rest of the cast) to capture the magic from the original film.
Although production is set to begin this year, we do not yet know when the Bill Condon-directed film will make its way to theaters. We will have to wait and see! Many eyes will be on the film as it journeys towards release.
