We received word earlier on today that production has officially kicked off on Disney’s live-action version of CINDERELLA, and with it comes the very first image from the production. Kenneth Branagh directs this retelling of the classic fairy tale, which started shooting in London this morning.
In the title role is Lily James (DOWNTON ABBEY), while Richard Madden (Game Of Thrones) plays the Prince. Oscar®-winner Cate Blanchett stars as the infamous stepmother Lady Tremaine, and Academy Award-nominee Helena Bonham Carter is the Fairy Godmother. Holliday Grainger (GREAT EXPECTATIONS) and Sophie McShera (DOWNTON ABBEY) play Ella’s stepsisters Anastasia and Drisella, respectively. Stellan Skarsgård and Nonso Anozie (THE GREY) play the Arch Grand Duke and the Prince’s loyal friend, the Captain. Tony® Award-winner Derek Jacobi portrays the King.
Director Kenneth Branagh is quoted in saying: “It is impossible to think of Cinderella without thinking of Disney and the timeless images we’ve all grown up watching. And those classic moments are irresistible to a filmmaker. With Lily James we have found our perfect Cinderella. She combines knockout beauty with intelligence, wit, fun and physical grace. Her Prince is being played by Richard Madden, a young actor with incredible power and charisma. He is funny, smart and sexy and a great match for Cinderella.”
The story of CINDERELLA follows the fortunes of young Ella whose merchant father remarries following the tragic death of her mother. Keen to support her loving father, Ella welcomes her new stepmother Lady Tremaine and her daughters Anastasia and Drisella into the family home. But, when Ella’s father suddenly and unexpectedly passes away, she finds herself at the mercy of a jealous and cruel new family. Finally relegated to nothing more than a servant girl covered in ashes, and spitefully renamed Cinderella, Ella could easily begin to lose hope. Yet, despite the cruelty inflicted upon her, Ella is determined to honor her mother’s dying words and to “have courage and be kind.” She will not give in to despair nor despise those who abuse her. And then there is the dashing stranger she meets in the woods. Unaware that he is really a prince, not merely an employee at the Palace, Ella finally feels she has met a kindred soul. It appears as if her fortunes may be about to change when the Palace sends out an open invitation for all maidens to attend a ball, raising Ella’s hopes of once again encountering the charming “Kit.” Alas, her stepmother forbids her to attend and callously rips apart her dress. But, as in all good fairy tales, help is at hand as a kindly beggar woman steps forward and, armed with a pumpkin and a few mice, changes Cinderella’s life forever.
Production on CINDERELLA will take place at Pinewood Studios and locations throughout England.
The film will be released through Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures in 2015.
Source: Walt Disney Studios
