Disney has released the first image of the upcoming live-action film Cinderella, now shooting in London and starring “Downton Abbey’s” Lily James. The photo (pictured above) shows James as Cinderella riding a horse across a field.
The storyline follows Disney‘s original 1950 cartoon plot, but with a few twists, such as Cinderella and Charming meeting before the ball and losing the slipper, where Charming lies by saying he is a palace employee. Also, this film will feature a stronger, sexier, more independent version of the story of Cinderella.
The film is directed by Kenneth Branaugh and will also star Cate Blanchett as her stepmother, Helena Bonham Carter as the fairy godmother, and Game of Thrones‘ Richard Madden as Prince Charming.
“With Lily James we have found our perfect Cinderella. She combines knockout beauty with intelligence, wit, fun and physical grace,” director Kenneth Branagh said in a statement at the beginning of prodction. “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.”
Disney’s Cinderella will open in theaters on March 13, 2015.
[divider]
Cinderella official synopsis from Disney:
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.
