Disney has just announced that Downton Abbey and Wrath of the Titans actress Lily James will play Cinderella in their live action movie of the same name.
The film will be directed by Sir Kenneth Branagh and stars Cate Blanchett as the iconic evil stepmother.
“Additional announcements regarding Cinderella are expected in the coming weeks,” says Disney in a brief statement.
News of James’ involvement with Cinderella first leaked at the start of April. Actresses Bella Heathcoate, Margot Robbie, and Emma Watson were also up for the role in recent months.
Actor Richard Madden, who plays Robb Stark on Game of Thrones, is reportedly under consideration for the role of Prince Charming. With Cinderella now cast, it’s likely we’ll hear who plays her Prince very soon as Disney alludes to in the above statement.
In February, James was upgraded to series regular for Downton Abbey series 4 which is currently filming in the United Kingdom. Presumably James will finish filming her role as Lady Rose before heading off to film Cinderella for Disney.
Cinderella will reportedly begin filming by the end of this year. It is the studio’s latest project featuring classic female characters in lead live action roles. Alice in Wonderland and Oz the Great and Powerful are recent examples of huge live action hits for Disney. The mouse house is also working on Maleficent starring Angelina Jolie, which is due out in March 2014.
Cinderella will be a big departure for James, who’s roles in Downton Abbey and Wrath of the Titans were anything but Princess-like roles.