Luke Evans to Join Emma Watson in Disney's Live-Action BEAUTY AND THE BEAST Movie

Disney's BEAUTY AND THE BEAST has found its 'Gaston' in a stage veteran.

According to Variety, Luke Evans has signed on to join Emma Watson in Disney's upcoming live-action, musical interpretation of BEAUTY AND THE BEAST. Bill Condon will direct, with by Mandeville Films' David Hoberman and Todd Lieberman producing.

Evans will take on the role of "the handsome antagonist who tried to win Belle's heart and after losing it to the beast, led a group of townspeople on a hunt to kill the creature."

As previously reported, Emma Thompson is also currently in talks to play 'Mrs. Potts,' in the film. No other casting has been announced at this time.

Production on BEAUTY AND THE BEAST is anticipated to begin later this year.

Evans is best known on screen for his roles in THE HOBBIT Trilogy, FAST & THE FURIOUS 6, and CLASH OF THE TITANS. He's also appeared in THE RAVEN, opposite John Cusack and THE THREE MUSKETEERS.

On stage, Evans appeared in the West End, performing in such shows as RENT, AVENUE Q, PIAF and MISS SAIGON.

Watson is best known for her role of Hermione Granger in the Harry Potter film series; she was cast as Hermione at the age of nine, having previously acted only in school plays. She starred in all eight Harry Potter films, alongside Daniel Radcliffe and Rupert Grint. Watson's work on the Harry Potter series has earned her several awards. In 2007, Watson announced her involvement in The Tale of Despereaux and the television adaptation of the novel Ballet Shoes, which was broadcast on 26 December 2007 to an audience of 5.2 million. The Tale of Despereaux, based on the novel by Kate DiCamillo, was released in 2008 and grossed more than US$86 million in worldwide sales. In 2012, she starred in Stephen Chbosky's film adaptation of The Perks of Being a Wallflower, and in 2014, she played Ila in Darren Aronofsky's biblical epic Noah.