There aren’t exactly a lack of Cinderella adaptations. From the musical versions to Disney’s animated take, even the live-action Drew Barrymore re-telling, everyone has their favorite.

Disney wants to add one more to the slate, and called on Thor director Kenneth Branagh to bring the impoverished, unlucky heroine to the screen once more. Fans attending Disney’s D23 Expo on Saturday got a chance to see a pre-taped segment with Branagh, who teased audiences with his plans for the film and the story and how he plans to honor the beloved animated classic.

Set to hit theaters in March 2015, none of the cast or crew could attend, since they’re about to start production. Sean Bailey, president of the Walt Disney Studios Motion Picture Productions, promised “we will be faithful to the original material,” but added that they hoped to elevate it as well, showing the politics of the royal court while following Cinderella from her time as a young girl to the fateful night when she’s given that dress and those slippers and heads to the ball.

In the pre-taped segment, Branagh showed a screen test with the new Cinderella (Downton Abbey’s Lily James) wearing a makeshift blue gown meant to represent the one she’ll wear to the ball. As the Prince, Richard Madden of Game of Thrones will be a “funny, smart, sexy prince. A great complimentary match for Cinderella,” said Branagh. Cate Blanchett’s wicked stepmother will be at turns wicked, but also witty, and Helena Bonham Carter’s Fairy Godmother will be “warm and tender and funny.” Branagh says she’s the “voice who lets us know that all will be well.”

Branagh is concerned with getting the iconic scenes right — from the transformation of the pumpkin into the elaborate carriage, to Cinderella’s entrance into the ballroom, to the moment when she realizes the slipper does, in fact, fit. If Branagh’s excitement is any indication, this newest take on the girl who loses her slipper might just be a new classic after all.

(Source)

I have added and replaced stills from ‘Downton Abbey’ season 3. Photos courtesy Far Far Away.


GALLERY LINKS
Television Productions > Downton Abbey (2012-2013) > Season 3 > Episode Stills > Episode #3.8
Television Productions > Downton Abbey (2012-2013) > Season 3 > Episode Stills > Episode #3.9

The first promotional photo from ‘Downton Abbey’ Season 4 is now added to the gallery. And as you can see, this is actually the same picture that was used for the 2014 calendar.

GALLERY LINKS
Television Productions > Downton Abbey (2012-2013) > Season 4 > Promotional Pictures

I have added two images from the Downton Abbey 2014 engagement calendar featuring Lily as Lady Rose MacClare. Thanks to Tess for the first scan! If you are interested, the calendar is available in the UK and you can pre-order it in the US.

Lily’s co-star, Richard Madden, shared a few things about the film ‘Cinderella’.

Just call him Prince Charming. “Game of Thrones’” former King in the North, Richard Madden, is playing the prince in Disney’s “Cinderella,” but he’s not quite used to wearing another royal’s shoes just yet.

“Really odd,” Richard told Access Hollywood at Comic-Con last Friday when we asked him how it felt to now be a Disney prince. “I’m like, ‘Surely, not me. Surely, I’m too old. I can’t be!’ Oh, actually, all right. I’m doing it!”

Richard, 27, said the film, which pits him opposite “Downton Abbey’s” Lily James (she’s playing Cinderella), will be fairly faithful to the story readers grew up with.

“Very true to the tale of the story,” he said. “There’s little changes happening now, so I’m not sure where it’s going to go, but it’s the story of Cinderella, we know it and it’s an amazing cast with an outstanding director, so it’s going to be really exciting,” he said. (Kenneth Branagh is directing the project.)

(Source)

Kenneth Branagh’s Cinderella is set to start principal photography in the UK at the end of August.

Starring Lily James (Downton Abbey) as Cinderella and Richard Madden (Game of Thrones) as Prince Charming, the Disney live action production will be based at Pinewood Studios.

Cinderella‘s script has been written by Aline Brosh McKenna (The Devil Wears Prada) and rewritten by Chris Weitz (Twilight: New Moon). Simon Kinberg, Allison Shearmur and David Barron will produce.

Also starring is Helena Bonham Carter as the fairy godmother and Cate Blanchett as the wicked stepmother. The wicked stepsisters are played by Sophie McShea (Downton Abbey) and Holliday Grainger (Great Expectations). Swedish actor Stellan Skarsgad will play the king’s adviser.

Originally, Mark Romanek (One Hour Photo) was slated to direct, but earlier this year Branagh took over the reins.

Cinderella is the latest modern feature twist on classic tales, such as Snow White and the Huntsmen and Tangled.

It is scheduled for a March, 2015 release.

(Source)

Congratulations to ‘Downton Abbey’ for their 12 nominations at the 2013 Emmy Awards! See full list of nominees here.

Downton Abbey is set to lead the British hopefuls at this year’s Emmy Awards after scooping a string of nominations in the main categories.

The show – which is due to return to ITV in the autumn for a fourth series – is one of six programmes hoping to win the coveted best drama prize at the prestigious TV awards in September.

And as well as competing in that category, several of the show’s stars will also be hoping to take home gold on the night.

They include Hugh Bonneville, who has been nominated for best drama actor, and Michelle Dockery, who is up for best drama actress for her role as Lady Mary Crawley.

Meanwhile co-stars Jim Carter and Maggie Smith have both scored nominations in their respective categories for best supporting actor and actress.

However the show will face some stiff competition in the drama series category from fellow nominees including Breaking Bad, Game Of Thrones, Homeland, Mad Men and the Netflix series House Of Cards.

Bonneville, meanwhile, will go head to head in the acting race with fellow Brit Damian Lewis, who is nominated for his role in Homeland.

(Source)

Lily attends the Emporio Armani’s Summer Garden Live 2013 on July 16, 2013 in London. She was absolutely gorgeous! Enjoy.

GALLERY LINKS
Public Appearances > 2013 > Emporio Armani Summer Garden Live 2013