Broadway Alum & Downton Star Dan Stevens May Play the Beast in Disney's Beauty and the Beast

Dan Stevens is in talks to take on the role of the Beast/Prince in Disney’s upcoming live-action Beauty and the Beast. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the Broadway alum and former Downton star may join the previously reported Emma Watson as Belle and more in the Bill Condon-helmed project.

Stevens is best known as Matthew Crawley on TV’s Downton Abbey. He appeared on Broadway opposite Jessica Chastain in 2012’s The Heiress and his West End credits include Arcadia, The Vortex and Every Good Boy Deserves Favour. Stevens’ additional TV and film credits include The Guest, Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb, A Walk Among the Tombstones, Hide, The Turn of the Screw, Dracula and Summer in February.

Other stage and screen stars reportedly in negotiations to appear in the Disney flick include Luke Evans as the villain Gaston and Emma Thompson, who may take on the role of Mrs. Potts.