Starring Lily James, Richard Madden, Academy Award®-winner Cate Blanchett and Oscar®-nominee Helena Bonham Carter and Directed by Academy Award®-nominee Kenneth Branagh
Burbank, Calif. (September 23, 2013)—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 Skarsgård (“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.
