Walt Disney Studio’s CINDERELLA Starring Cate Blanchett Coming March 13, 2015

Walt Disney Studios announced CINDERELLA is coming to theaters on March 13, 2015.  The film will star Academy Award–winning actress Cate Blanchette and Oscar-nominee Helena Bonham Carter.  Lily James (as Cinderella) and Richard Madden (as the Prince) will also feature in the film directed by Academy Award-nominee Kenneth Branagh.  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.  Continue reading for more details from Walt Disney Studios’ press release.

Update September 19, 2015

Two separate activity packs, “Majestic Games & Craft” along with “Host Your Own Ball” activities in celebration of Disney’s CINDERELLA, now available on Digital HD, Blu-ray and Disney Movies Anywhere.  Click on the images below to download the activity packs.

Download Cinderella Majestic Games & Craft Download Cinderella Host A Royal Ball

Update August 24, 2015

In celebration of the Digital HD and Blu-ray release of Disney’s CINDERELLA on September 15, 2015, Walt Disney Studios launched the “A Million Words of Kindness” Campaign on August 15, 2015. Inspired by the spirit of Cinderella, this online initiative invites fans everywhere to pledge their commitment to be courageous and kind in the hopes of achieving “A Million Words of Kindness” in time for World Kindness Day on November 13th, 2015.

In the film “Cinderella,” Ella is told by her mother, “Where there is kindness, there is goodness; and where there is goodness, there is magic.” Now families everywhere can create this magic themselves by submitting words of courage and kindness at www.cinderellakindness.com, using the hashtags #Cinderella and #bekind or the handle @Cinderellamovie. These kind words and their entrant’s names will then appear on the site’s interactive “Kindness Wall.”

To join the “A Million Words of Kindness” Campaign, visit www.cinderellakindness.com and use your words to help make the world a kinder, more magical place.

Update August 24, 2015

Disney’s CINDERELLA available on Blu-ray combo pack, Digital HD and Disney Movies Anywhere on September 15, 2015.  Includes over 12 minutes of additional scenes, including an alternate opening, and the FROZEN FEVER theatrical short.

BONUS FEATURES: Digital HD/SD*, Blu-ray Combo Pack & Disney Movies Anywhere (DMA)

  • A Fairy Tale Comes to Life Filmmakers and cast reflect on Cinderella’s enduring power, and the joys and challenges of bringing this iconic tale to life.
  • Costume Test Fun See the work of Academy Award-winning Costume Designer Sandy Powell (The Aviator, 2004) and share some lighthearted moments with the cast.
  • Staging The Ball You’re invited behind the scenes for the making of the Palace Ball sequence, including its spectacular set, stunning costumes and more. It’s a lavish and massive undertaking…and a magical day on set.
  • Ella’s Furry Friends Discover how the movie’s animal stars honed their memorable performances.
  • Alternate Opening: Ella’s Childhood View moments from Ella’s idyllic childhood that do not appear in the movie. With an introduction by Director Kenneth Branagh.
  • Frozen Fever It’s Anna’s birthday, and Elsa and Kristoff are determined to give her the best celebration ever – but when Elsa catches a cold, her powers may put more than just the party at risk.

Update March 12, 2015

Click here for our spoiler-free movie review of Disney’s CINDERELLA - “Have Courage and Be Kind.”

Cinderella

© 2013 Disney Enterprises, Inc.

 

Update March 11, 2015

Another tease at FROZEN FEVER releasing in front of Disney’s CINDERELLA on March 13.

Update February 25, 2015

Trailer released for FROZEN FEVER, the follow-up short to FROZEN can be seen exclusively in theaters with Disney’s CINDERELLA.

Update February 11, 2015

There’s more to the legend in the latest trailer for CINDERELLA.

Update February 3, 2015

First look images for FROZEN FEVER plus a VIDEO featurette released - let’s go back to Arendelle!

FROZEN FEVER

FROZEN FEVER ©2015 Disney. All Rights Reserved.

FROZEN FEVER

FROZEN FEVER ©2015 Disney. All Rights Reserved.

FROZEN FEVER

FROZEN FEVER ©2015 Disney. All Rights Reserved.

FROZEN FEVER

FROZEN FEVER ©2015 Disney. All Rights Reserved.

FROZEN FEVER

FROZEN FEVER ©2015 Disney. All Rights Reserved.

Update December 3, 2014

Walt Disney Animation Studios’ all-new short FROZEN FEVER, which welcomes Anna, Elsa, Kristoff and Olaf back to the big screen, will open in theaters on March 13, 2015, in front of Disney’s CINDERELLA, a live-action feature inspired by the classic fairy tale.

In FROZEN FEVER, it’s Anna’s birthday and Elsa and Kristoff are determined to give her the best celebration ever, but Elsa’s icy powers may put more than just the party at risk.

Directed by Chris Buck and Jennifer Lee, and produced by Peter Del Vecho and Aimee Scribner, with an all-new original song by Robert Lopez and Kristen Anderson-Lopez, FROZEN FEVER marks the first project reuniting the Oscar-winning original team from Disney’s FROZEN.  Click here for our interview with Chris Buck, Jennifer Lee and Peter Del Vecho regarding the making of FROZEN.

Update November 19, 2014

Full trailer and character posters released for Disney’s CINDERELLA, “have courage and be kind.”

CINDERELLACINDERELLACINDERELLACINDERELLA Update May 16, 2014

A “teaser” poster and the first trailer released for CINDERELLA.

CINDERELLA

Original post from September 23, 2013 follows below…

Walt Disney Studios announced the beginning of production for CINDERELLA coming to theaters March 13, 2015.  Disney also released this first-look image of the film’s production.

Cinderella

Cinderella © 2013 Disney Enterprises, Inc.

From Walt Disney Studios’ Press Release

Walt Disney Studios

Walt Disney Pictures announced today that principal photography has begun at Pinewood Studios in London, on “Cinderella,” Disney’s first-ever live action feature inspired by the classic fairy tale.

Directed by Academy Award-nominee Kenneth Branagh (“Jack Ryan,” “Thor”), the film stars Lily James (“Downton Abbey,” “Wrath of the Titans”) in the title role, Richard Madden (“Game of Thrones,” “Birdsong”) as the Prince, Oscar-winner Cate Blanchett (“The Aviator”) as the infamous stepmother Lady Tremaine, and Academy Award-nominee Helena Bonham Carter (“The King’s Speech,” “Alice in Wonderland”) as the Fairy Godmother.  Holliday Grainger (“Great Expectations,” “Anna Karenina”) and Sophie McShera (“Downton Abbey,” “Waterloo Road”) play Ella’s stepsisters Anastasia and Drisella, respectively.  Stellan Skarsgård (“The Avengers,” “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo”) and Nonso Anozie (“Game of Thrones,” “The Grey”) play the Arch Grand Duke and the Prince’s loyal friend, the Captain.  Tony Award-winner Derek Jacobi portrays the King.

The timeless story of “Cinderella” dates back to 1697 when first created by Charles Perrault, although it truly came to life for millions all over the world in 1950 with Walt Disney’s celebrated animated feature.

Director Kenneth Branagh says: “It is impossible to think of Cinderella without thinking of Disney and the timeless images we’ve all grown up watching.  And those classic moments are irresistible to a filmmaker.  With Lily James we have found our perfect Cinderella.  She combines knockout beauty with intelligence, wit, fun and physical grace.  Her Prince is being played by Richard Madden, a young actor with incredible power and charisma.  He is funny, smart and sexy and a great match for Cinderella.

The story of “Cinderella” follows the fortunes of young Ella whose merchant father remarries following the tragic death of her mother.  Keen to support her loving father, Ella welcomes her new stepmother Lady Tremaine 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 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.

“Cinderella” is produced by Simon Kinberg (“X-Men: First Class,” “Elysium”), Allison Shearmur (“The Hunger Games: Catching Fire”), David Barron (“Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows,” “Jack Ryan”), from a screenplay by Chris Weitz (“About a Boy,” “The Golden Compass”).

The filmmaking team includes three-time Academy Award-winning production designer Dante Ferretti (“The Aviator,” “Hugo,” “Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street”), three-time Oscar-winning costume designer Sandy Powell (“The Aviator,” “The Young Victoria,” “Shakespeare in Love”), director of photography Haris Zambarloukos (“Sleuth,” “Thor”) and Academy Award-winning editor Martin Walsh (“Chicago,” “Clash of the Titans”).  Production on “Cinderella” will take place at Pinewood Studios and locations throughout England.  “Cinderella” will be released through Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures on March 13, 2015.

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About Dave Parfitt

Married, father of two girls, and living in the heart of the Finger Lakes. I'm a runner with a PhD in neuroscience and a passion for travel.