CS Video: Lily James and Cate Blanchett Talk Cinderella

This Friday, Walt Disney Pictures is paying another visit to the fairy tale world of their 12th animated feature, Cinderella. Unlike the 1950 film, however, this one offers a live-action take with Kenneth Branagh (Hamlet, Thor) in the director’s chair and a cast led by “Downton Abbey” star Lily James and backed by two-time Academy Award winner Cate Blanchett in the evil stepmother role and “Game of Thrones'” Richard Madden as the Prince. ComingSoon.net had the opportunity to sit down with all four talents and you can find out their thoughts on the new film in the player below!

The story of Cinderella follows the fortunes of young Ella (James) whose merchant father remarries following the tragic death of her mother. Keen to support her loving father, Ella welcomes her new stepmother Lady Tremaine (Blanchett) and her daughters Anastasia and Drisella into the family home. But, when Ella’s father suddenly and unexpectedly passes away, she finds herself at the mercy of a jealous and cruel new family. Finally relegated to nothing more than a servant girl covered in ashes, and spitefully renamed Cinderella, Ella could easily begin to lose hope. Yet, despite the cruelty inflicted upon her, Ella is determined to honor her mother’s dying words and to “have courage and be kind.” She will not give in to despair nor despise those who abuse her. And then there is the dashing stranger (Madden) she meets in the woods. Unaware that he is really a prince, not merely an employee at the Palace, Ella finally feels she has met a kindred soul. It appears as if her fortunes may be about to change when the Palace sends out an open invitation for all maidens to attend a ball, raising Ella’s hopes of once again encountering the charming “Kit.” Alas, her stepmother forbids her to attend and callously rips apart her dress. But, as in all good fairy tales, help is at hand as a kindly beggar woman steps forward and, armed with a pumpkin and a few mice, changes Cinderella’s life forever.

Also starring Stellan Skarsgård, Holliday Grainger, Derek Jacobi and Helena Bonham Carter, Cinderella hits theaters Friday, March 13.

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