Luke Evans in talks for 'Beauty and the Beast'

Los Angeles: Actor Luke Evans is in talks to play the villainous Gaston in the upcoming film 'Beauty and the Beast' a retelling of the Walt Disney studio's 1991 animated blockbuster of the same name.

In the original story, Gaston was a handsome suitor who tried to win Belle's heart and, after losing her to the beast, led a group of townspeople on a hunt to kill the creature.

Bill Condon will be directing the film from a script written by Evan Spiliotopoulos and rewritten by Steve Chbosky.

The film features Emma Watson as Belle and Dan Stevens as the Beast.The movie is said hit the screens later this year, however, no release date has been set.