Cinderella Found! Downton Abbey’s Lily James To Star As Cinderella in Kenneth Branagh’s Adaptation Of Disney Classic

Disney has finally found its Cinderella! Downton Abbey's Lily James has been confirmed for the role of Cinderella in the live-action remake of the classic Disney animated tale. Kenneth Branagh, English actor and director of Thor and As You Like It, will direct Cinderella, a film about an abused girl who inspires a prince to turn a kingdom upside down searching for her with only a single glass slipper.

Lily James plays Lady Rose MacClare in Downton Abbey. Originally, Emma Watson was rumored to be taking on the role of Cinderella, but Walt Disney Co. confirmed that James would play the title character in a press release on Tuesday, April 30.

James, a 24-year-old English actress, has previously acted in Wrath of the Titans and Broken.

Cate Blanchett will play Lily James's evil and manipulative stepmother. Allison Sheamur, David Barron and Simon Kinberg are producing the flick, according to Deadline.

Aline Brosh McKenna wrote the Cinderella adaptation. McKenna is known for writing The Devil Wears Prada, which starred Anne Hathaway and Meryl Streep.

The movie was originally to be directed by Never Let Me Go's Mark Romanek, according to the LA Times. However, Branagh stepped in after Romanek left over "creative differences."

Disney's Cinderella is due to come out next year. Disney said that other announcements about the film, including additional cast members and the release date, would be coming shortly. 

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world news
Downton Abbey
Disney
Emma Watson
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