2015 is shaping up to be an immense year for movies, with releases like The Avengers: Age of Ultron and other blockbusters lined up throughout the summer, but Disney will actually begin the year with a live action release of one of their most famous stories. Director Kenneth Branagh will be directing a live action version of the classic fairy tale Cinderella. Principal photography has just begun over in England, and Disney has released the first official image of the film.
Downton Abbey‘s Lily James will be playing Cinderella and her Prince will be none other than Game of Thrones‘ Richard Madden. The evil stepmother will be played by Cate Blanchett and the Fairy Godmother will be Helena Bonham Carter.
Disney recently released an official press release with the details to this new take on the story.
“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.”
Now this sounds like a very interesting retelling version of the story, one that I can see a fantastic director like Branagh directing. If they do this right, it could end up being a surprise hit, and a fairy tale for everyone to enjoy.
What do you think about the idea for a new Cinderella? Are you intrigued by the new take on the source material? Would you actually be willing to see the film with this new direction? Why don’t you just tell us what you think in the comments below?
Source: /Film
