Lily James from the show Downtown Abby is confirmed to play the lead character Cinderella in the upcoming live action Disney film . Walt Disney Pictures announced the casting today and will replace Emma Watson who originally casted in the role but left earlier this year. The film is being directed by Sir Kenneth Branagh and stars Cate Blanchett as the iconic evil stepmother.
James is currently playing the role of Lady Rose McClare and was recently in the film Wrath of the Titans in 2012. Other actresses who were up for the lead role are Saoirse Ronan (“Atonement”), Alicia Vikander (“Anna Karenina”), Margot Robbie (TV’s “Pan Am”) and Bella Heathcote (“Dark Shadows”).
The film was originally to be directed by Mark Romanek but left the project due to creative differences then was replaced by Branagh. Cinderella will be released next year.
