Cinderella Movie Cast, Plot and Everything to Know

A live-action feature inspired by the classic fairy tale, Cinderella brings to life the timeless images from Disney's 1950 animated masterpiece as fully-realized characters in a visually dazzling spectacle for a whole new generation.

Plot

What's the story about?

Plot

The story of "Cinderella" follows the fortunes of young Ella (Lily James) whose merchant father remarries following the death of her mother. Eager to support her loving father, Ella welcomes her new stepmother (Cate Blanchett) and her daughters Anastasia (Holliday Grainger) and Drisella (Sophie McShera) into the family home. But, when Ella's father 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 mistreat her. And then there is the dashing stranger she meets in the woods. Unaware that he is really a prince, not merely an apprentice at the Palace, Ella finally feels she has met a kindred soul. It appears 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 (Richard Madden). Alas, her stepmother forbids her to attend and callously rips apart her dress. But, as in all good fairy tales, help is at hand, and a kindly beggar woman (Helena Bonham-Carter) steps forward and -- armed with a pumpkin and a few mice -- changes Cinderella's life forever.

Cited as official plot version from disney.com

Adventure Romance Remake Fairy Tale

Top Cast

The lead cast starring in Cinderella.

• 
  Cate Blanchett

  ... Lady Tremaine

  Black Bag, Ocean's Eight

• 
  Lily James

  ... Cinderalla

  Relay, Mamma Mia: Here We Go Again!

• R
  Richard Madden

  ... Prince

  The Take, Killer Heat

• 
  Helena Bonham Carter

  ... Fairy Godmother

  One Life, Ocean's Eight

• S
  Stellan Skarsgard

  ... Arch Grand Duke

  Nymphomaniac: Part One, Dune

• S
  Sophie McShera

  ... Drizella

  Downton Abbey 3, Downton Abbey

• N
  Nonso Anozie

  ... The Captain

  Artemis Fowl, Firedrake the Silver Dragon

• D
  Derek Jacobi

  ... The King

  Gladiator II, Verona’s Romeo & Juliet

Crew Behind the Film

The Cinderella behind-the-scenes crew and production team.

The film's director Kenneth Branagh last directed A Haunting in Venice and Death on the Nile. The film's writer Aline Brosh-McKenna last wrote Annie and We Bought a Zoo.

Director

Kenneth Branagh

Screenwriters

Aline Brosh-McKenna
Chris Weitz

Producers

David Barron
Simon Kinberg
Allison Shearmur

Production Details

What we know about the Cinderella movie production.

Key Facts

• Per Walt Disney Pictures press release (8/10/13): "Although Disney's Cinderella promises to be faithful to the original fairy tale, the filmmakers will elevate the story, the characters and the visuals to take audiences on a sweeping dramatic journey never seen before."
• A live-action adaptation. The Cinderella project was first set up at Disney in May 2010 in the wake of the studio's success with Alice in Wonderland.

Production Updates for Cinderella

Aug 2014

Completed

Changed Cinderella movie production status. The movie is ready for release.

May 2014

Post-Production

Changed the movie production status to Post-Production. The movie is now in the editing and finishing stages.

Sep 2013

Production

Changed the movie production status to Production. Production on “Cinderella” will take place at Pinewood Studios and locations throughout England.

Jul 2013

Pre-Production

Changed the movie production status to Pre-Production. A fall 2013 shoot in London is being planned.

Jan 2013

Development

Changed the movie production status to Development. Director Mark Romanek (Never Let Me Go) has exited the project. Disney said, "We are committed to moving the project forward and have begun the search for a new director."

Feb 2012

Development

Changed the movie production status to Development. The movie is likely in scripting, budgeting, or stuck in "development hell."

May 2010

Announced

Changed the movie production status to Announced. No additional details available for this status.

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Additional Information

All Trailers

Watch official Cinderella movie trailers and clips.

Questions

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Official Page and Social Links

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Across the Web

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• IMDb