While the CW seems to pretty much have solidified the cast for their version of ‘Beauty and the Beast’ (they only have to cast the role of the Beast), it looks like ABC is just starting to get their version together. Deadline reports that the first actor cast for the pilot is Chris Egan.

Egan has appeared the movies ‘Eragon’, ‘Resident Evil: Extinction’, and most recently ‘Letters to Juliet.’ His television work includes the shows ‘Kings’, ‘Vanished’ and he has appeared in two episodes of ‘Everwood.’ In ABC’s version of ‘Beauty and the Beast,’ Egan will play the role of Gorrick, the trusted soldier of the king.

Although CW’s version is more of a rebooting of the 1980’s CBS series, ABC is taking a more different approach. In their re-imaging of the popular fairy tale, “an embattled princess named Grace discovers and unlikely connection with a mysterious beast.”

The pilot will be directed by Yves Simoneau who also directed the pilot for ‘The 4400.’ The script was written by Jonathan Steinberg who wrote on ‘Human Target’ and ‘Jericho.’ Steinberg will also executive produce along with Mary Beth Basile and Gary Fleder. Interestingly enough, Gary Fleder was also hired to direct the CW’s version of the tale.

So the battle of the ‘Beauty and the Beast’ is underway. Once we hear about who else is cast, we’ll let you know!