Lily James Will Be 'Cinderella' For Kenneth Branagh And Disney

Briefly: Disney's live-action retelling of Cinderella has been coming together over the past couple months, with Kenneth Branagh stepping in to direct after Mark Romanek moved on, and Cate Blanchett cast as the wicked stepmother who makes Cinderella's life a minor hell.

Now, after a report that indicated Disney and Branagh were looking at Bella Heathcote, Lily James, and Margot Robbie as possible fits for the glass slipper, Downton Abbey actress Lily James has won the role. There's relatively little info beyond that — Disney's press release announcing the casting is a terse two sentences — but we'll likely hear more soon.  Richard Madden (Robb Stark on Game of Thrones) was floated as one possible choice to play the Prince, and with James cast the producers can figure out who'll best play opposite her as the romantic lead.

Aline Brosh McKenna (The Devil Wears Prada) wrote an early version of the script, and the current version was written by Chris Weitz (Twilight: New Moon).