The Master of Magnetism is taking on a new roll sure to have fans spinning -- or at least smiling -- as Variety reports Ian McKellen has joined Disney's live-action "Beauty and the Beast" film.

While known for his commanding presence in recent years as part of Fox's X-Men film franchise and Peter Jackson's "Lord of the Rings" and "The Hobbit" trilogies, McKellen joins the Bill Condon-directed film as Cogsworth, better known as the butler-turned-clock in Disney's 1991 animated feature of the same name.

McKellen joins a cast that includes Emma Watson as Belle and Luke Evans as the Beast, as well as Emma Thompson as Mrs. Potts, Kevin Kline as Belle's father Maurice ad Josh Gad as LeFou. The film is currently slated for release March 17, 2017.