Cinderella (2015 film)

Cinderella is an upcoming American romantic fantasy film directed by Kenneth Branagh and written by Aline Brosh McKenna and Chris Weitz. Produced by David Barron and Simon Kinberg for Walt Disney Pictures, the film is based on the fairy tale "Cinderella" by Charles Perrault and is also a live-action re-imagining of the 1950 Disney animated film. Lily James is starring as Cinderella with Cate Blanchett playing Lady Tremaine. The film is scheduled to be released on March 13, 2015.^[1]

Plot

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 Drizella 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 since she used to work in the cinders, 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.^[2]

Cast

• Lily James as Cinderella
• Richard Madden as Prince "Kit" Charming
• Cate Blanchett as Lady Tremaine
• Helena Bonham Carter as The Fairy Godmother
• Holliday Grainger as Anastasia Tremaine
• Sophie McShera as Drizella Tremaine
• Stellan Skarsgård as The Grand Duke
• Nonso Anozie as Captain
• Derek Jacobi as The King
• Hayley Atwell as Cinderella's Mother
• Ben Chaplin as Cinderella's Father

Production

After the success of Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland, Disney began developing a new film adaptation of Cinderella in May 2010.^[3] Mark Romanek had signed on to direct the film with Simon Kinberg as producer and a script is written by Chris Weitz.^[4] In January 2013, Romanek left the project due to some creative differences.^[5] Later Disney was in negotiations with Kenneth Branagh to helm the film.^[6] The film is scheduled to be released on March 13, 2015.^[1]

Casting

Cate Blanchett will be playing Lady Tremaine in the film.^[7] Emma Watson was offered to play Cinderella, but dropped out to work on a new adaptation of Beauty and the Beast, actresses Gabriella Wilde, Saoirse Ronan and Alicia Vikander were also offered the part but dropped out due to other works.^[8][9] In April 2013, it was reported that Bella Heathcote, Lily James and Margot Robbie were testing for the part of Cinderella and Richard Madden is looked at for the Prince.^[10] On April 30, 2013, Lily James was added in the cast as the title character.^[11] Branagh and Blanchett's involvement in the film was also confirmed that day.^[11] On May 8, 2013, Richard Madden was cast as the Prince.^[12] In June 2013, it was reported that Holliday Grainger and Sophie McShera joined the film as Anastasia and Drizella respectively.^[13][14] Later that month, Helena Bonham Carter was cast as the Fairy Godmother.^[15] In July 2013, Stellan Skarsgard began talks to play the Grand Duke, and his involvement in the film was officially confirmed by Disney two moths later.^[2][16] In August 2013, Hayley Atwell joined the cast to play Cinderella's mother.^[17] On September 23, 2013, it was announced that Derek Jacobi was cast as the King and Nonso Anozie will play the Captain, who is the Prince's loyal friend.^[2] In December 2013, it was revealed that Ben Chaplin would be playing Cinderella's father.^[18]

Filming

Principal photography on Cinderella began on September 23, 2013.^[2] The production on the film occurred at Pinewood Studios in London and also took place throughout England.^[19] The movie entered post-production in December 2013.^[20]

Music

Patrick Doyle confirmed in an interview in Switzerland, he would write the music for the film.^[21]

References

External links

• Cinderella at the Internet Movie Database