We've been following the development of Disney's latest live action update of a classic fairy tale and not simply because the Disney princesses are in. I don't believe they were ever really out, but as our generation (the ones who grew up during Disney's second animation renaissance) become adults the princesses are becoming more popular than ever. And that being said, the last few live action re-tellings of said princesses - Snow White, for instance - have only been so-so. Sure, none of those live-action attempts at Snow White came from the House of Mouse, but their Alice in Wonderland was a bit of a letdown, too.
For Cinderella they've gone and hired Kenneth Branagh, and man, do I hope that makes all the difference. Not only has Branagh built a career out of making Shakespeare accessible to the masses, but he directed Thor, masterfully. Asgardian god/alien? That could have been a HUGE fuck-up in the hands of a lesser director.
Now Cinderella has officially begun filming, as announced by the press release you'll find below the cut, and thanks to the D23 Twitter account we get our first look at Lily James as the titular princess,
So free, so happy, so not yet kept in rags and doing the bidding of her evil stepmother.
Cinderella will also star Cate Blanchett, Helena Bonham Carter, Richard Madden, Hayley Atwell and Stellan Skarsg rd, and is expected to release March 13th, 2015.
Source: /Film
Walt Disney Pictures announced today that principal photography has begun at Pinewood Studios in London, on "Cinderella," Disney's first-ever live action feature inspired by the classic fairy tale.
Directed by Academy Award -nominee Kenneth Branagh ("Jack Ryan," "Thor"), the film stars Lily James ("Downton Abbey," "Wrath of the Titans") in the title role, Richard Madden ("Game of Thrones," "Birdsong") as the Prince, Oscar -winner Cate Blanchett ("The Aviator") as the infamous stepmother Lady Tremaine, and Academy Award-nominee Helena Bonham Carter ("The King's Speech," "Alice in Wonderland") as the Fairy Godmother. Holliday Grainger ("Great Expectations," "Anna Karenina") and Sophie McShera ("Downton Abbey," "Waterloo Road") play Ella's stepsisters Anastasia and Drisella, respectively. Stellan Skarsg rd ("The Avengers," "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo") and Nonso Anozie ("Game of Thrones," "The Grey") play the Arch Grand Duke and the Prince's loyal friend, the Captain. Tony Award-winner Derek Jacobi portrays the King.
"Cinderella" is produced by Simon Kinberg ("X-Men: First Class," "Elysium"), Allison Shearmur ("The Hunger Games: Catching Fire"), David Barron ("Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows," "Jack Ryan"), from a screenplay by Chris Weitz ("About a Boy," "The Golden Compass").
The filmmaking team includes three-time Academy Award-winning production designer Dante Ferretti ("The Aviator," "Hugo," "Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street"), three-time Oscar-winning costume designer Sandy Powell ("The Aviator," "The Young Victoria," "Shakespeare in Love"), director of photography Haris Zambarloukos ("Sleuth," "Thor") and Academy Award-winning editor Martin Walsh ("Chicago," "Clash of the Titans").
The timeless story of "Cinderella" dates back to 1697 when first created by Charles Perrault, although it truly came to life for millions all over the world in 1950 with Walt Disney's celebrated animated feature.
Director Kenneth Branagh says: "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.
"Cinderella" will be released through Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures on March 13, 2015.
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