Disney casts 'Downton' actress in new Cinderella film
Credit: Ben A. Pruchnie/Getty Images
Following two theatrical films in 2012 about Snow White, it looks as though the film world is continuing its fairytale kick -- and Disney is leading the charge with a new, live-action update of Cinderella. In moving forward with the project, the studio has officially cast its common girl-turned-princess.
Lily James, best known for her role as Lady Rose MacClare on season three of Downton Abbey, will star as Cinderella in the upcoming film. Emma Watson had been in talks to fill the title role, but the deal never came to fruition. James is no stranger to genre films, having appeared as Korrina in last year's Wrath of the Titans.
This will mark only her third big-screen role, following Titans and 2011 British drama Fast Girls. James will remain on the cast for Downton Abbey in season four, though it's uncertain how her work on the hit series will affect the shooting schedule for Cinderella. However, it stands to reason that this was worked out long before the decision was made to cast her.
Meanwhile, in other Cinderella news, Cate Blanchett will play the role of Cinderella's evil stepmother. Academy Award-nominated actor/director Kenneth Branagh will direct, from a script by The Devil Wears Prada writer Aline Brosh McKenna.
The project was first conceived at Disney in May 2010, following the smash success of the studio’s Alice in Wonderland, Tim Burton's live-action adaptation of the Lewis Carroll book that starred Johnny Depp. In this sense, it wouldn't be a big surprise at all if the studio went the IMAX 3D, CG spectacle route with this adaptation. We'll just have to wait and see. No release date for the film has been announced as of yet.
