'Downton Abbey' Cast News: Dan Stevens to Star in Disney's New 'Beauty and the Beast'

Looks like Disney is assembling an all-British cast for the live action adaptation of the animation studio's classic "Beauty and the Beast."

Dan Stevens, the breakout star from "Downton Abbey," is said to be in talks to take on the role of the titular cursed Prince.

In a tweet, Stevens revealed that he is negotiating with Disney to star in his most high-profile role to date opposite "Harry Potter" alum Emma Watson, The Hollywood Reporter said.

Stevens is best known for his role as Matthew Crawley, who was killed off in PBS' "Downton Abbey" in 2012.

Since then, Stevens has acted on Broadway opposite Jessica Chastain, and starred in a film titled "Summer in February," "The Fifth Estate" and "The Guest."

It may be recalled that Watson told her fans about her casting as Belle in a tweet posted last January, saying it is almost surreal to be singing songs she grew up with.

After retiring Hermione Granger in 2011, Watson has starred in smaller films like "The Perks of Being a Wallflower" and "The Bling Ring." She also made a hilarious appearance in "This Is the End."

Reports earlier said Welsh actor Luke Evans, who starred in "The Hobbit" trilogy, is also in talks to play the villain, Gaston.

"The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn" Director Bill Candon has been tapped to direct the movie, whose script was written by Stephen Chbosky after working on a previous draft prepared by Evan Spiliotopoulos.

David Hoberman and Todd Lieberman are producing under their Mandeville Films banner.

Disney's "Beauty and the Beast" is an Oscar-nominated 1991 musical animation, which is the latest classic to receive a live-action adaptation on the big screen.

The company set in motion a plan to remake several of its classic animated films as live-action movies after the Sleeping Beauty-inspired "Maleficent," starring Angelina Jolie, which grossed $758.4 million worldwide last year.