THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER – Coincidentally, Cinderella star Lily James celebrated International Women’s Day by relishing in the courage and agency of her refreshed Disney princess.
“This Cinderella is a really powerful, strong character — I wanted to bring a strength of spirit to the role,” James, wearing a Dolce and Gabbana outfit with Stuart Weitzman heels, told The Hollywood Reporter before a Sunday afternoon screening at New York City’s Tribeca Grand Hotel.
Madden added of Kenneth Branagh’s modern take, “This young woman in distress doesn’t need a man to save her. That’s totally irrelevant — she’d be fine without the prince, she’d get on with it.” Plus, his spin on Prince Charming includes a “sense of humor — the ability to make fun of himself and have a bit of banter with his dad.”
James was overjoyed about the recent announcement of Disney’s live-action Beauty and the Beast, starring fellow Downton Abbey breakout Dan Stevens opposite Emma Watson. “I’m so excited he’s playing the beast! I couldn’t believe it, I texted him immediately,” she said. Madden’s advice for playing such a beloved character? “Practice your dancing, because you’re gonna have to do it at some point!”
Disney has Beauty and the Beast (also featuring Luke Evans) following Cinderella and Maleficent in starring British actors (or at least accents, in Maleficent’s case). When asked about what it is about the U.K. that seems to make these live-action retellings inherently magical, James told THR, “I don’t know! It’s weird! [On set,] there was a sense of theater of company, of epic storytelling in an intimate nature. I don’t know whether British actors are more theater?”
TEEN – Lily James got to do what all girls have totally fantasized about: become Cinderella. Between the ball and the magic, the guy — pshh, we wish Richard Madden could be our prince — and the enchanted romance that follows, it’s hard NOT to be jealous of this British beauty. Luckily, in Cinderella, Lily sets the bar so high, we practically forget how envious we are of her and get completely captured in the movie magic.
Whether she’s gracing us with her presence as Lady Rose on Downton Abbey or playing a beloved princess, Lily knows just how to capture that old-fashioned charm, while still adding a fresh touch to her characters. And, playing Ella gave her an otherworldy freedom she was super excited to experience.
To make add onto all the excitement, We got to chat with Lily and she gave us the whole Cinderella scoop on the complicated (but totally gorg) dress, her hottie co-star and way more. Plus, the Lily and Richard on-screen romance doesn’t end here! She told us all about her upcoming projects and a reunion we can hardly wait for.Congratulations on Cinderella! It really held up to the high standards. Were you a fan of the tale growing up?
“Yeah, I was actually. I think it was because of the music. Growing up I loved to sing and I think more than anything I remember the mice and the singing. I remember the music more than I remember the story of the film. But, of course the fairytale was something that I grew up with. My dad would always read them to me.”What was your initial reaction when you found out you got the role?
“I was completely overwhelmed and shocked. it wasn’t because I was Cinderella or a princess, it was because I completely loved this version of the story with Ella. I found her quite inspiring and I really wanted to be her and play her. Disney made her story really exciting and quite beautiful so that’s what I was most excited about.”
E!ONLINE – Have you noticed a special fashion statement on Lily James?
No, it’s not her gorgeous dress from her upcoming movie Cinderella. And it doesn’t have to do with that famous glass slipper.
Instead, it’s her rings she continues to wear on that all-important finger. So, does she have some news to share about her relationship with boyfriend Matt Smith? “No engagement yet,” she told E! News while enjoying tea at the Montage Hotel with Ali Fedotowsky. “It’s just that I have quite chunky fingers and the lovely, beautiful diamond rings only fit [on my wedding finger] and I didn’t not want to wear it.” She added, “I’m not very superstitious. I always wear a ring on that finger.”
During the Milan premiere of Cinderella last week, James and her main man made their first official appearance as a couple. Their romance was confirmed when they were caught kissing back in October.
When the time comes for any proposal, however, James joked that she hopes things go a little different. Think Disney Princess different. “I also joke instead of put a ring on it, put a slipper on it,” she explained. “When I get proposed to, I want someone to show up with a glass slipper.” You taking notes, Smith?!
In the meantime, James is focused on her busy film career that also includes an upcoming role in Pride and Prejudice and Zombies with Suki Waterhouse. “I have no time to do anything other than work at the moment, but it was really cool to get to know Suki,” she confessed to E! News. “She’s really cool.”
Lily & Richard discuss portraying Prince Charming and Ella in Disney’s ‘Cinderella’. How much planning went into their onscreen kiss.
Lily and Richard talk bringing Disney’s ‘Cinderella’ to life. When did they meet during the pre-production process.
