It looks like Emma Watson's Belle has found her Beast. Dan Stevens dropped a big hint that he is taking on a leading role in the upcoming live-action 2016 movie, Beauty and the Beast, and Emma then confirmed the role with a tweet.
"Could not be more happy that this man will be Beast!!! Welcome aboard @thatdanstevens #beautyandthebeast", the 24-year old tweeted.
Prior to Emma's tweet Dan took to Twitter on Wednesday, posting an image that simply read, "Beast Mode" seemingly confirming that he will appear in the film alongside Emma, who signed up to play the Disney princess back in January.
Emma then also confirmed reports that Welsh actor Luke Evans was set to play the villain Gaston – completing an all-British line-up.
"Bonjour Gaston! ❤️ Welcome! #BeautyAndTheBeast", the former Harry Potter actress tweeted, adding a snap of Luke.
Emma confirmed her role at the start of the year, with a message to her fans on Facebook. "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."
Since leaving Downton in 2012, Dan has showcased her versatility on the big screen – playing a drug trafficker in Walk Among The Tombstones, Sir Lancelot in Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb, and a potential murderer in The Guest.
Earlier this week, he was seen filming opposite Richard Gere for their upcoming project together, Oppenheimer Strategies. Appearing as the Beast, however, will be Dan’s most high-profile role to date.
Disney looks set to be bringing together an all-British cast for the film; similarly they chose British leads for the live-action Cinderella movie, which opens on 27 March and stars Game of Thrones actor Richard Madden and Downton’s Lily James.
