Stellan Skarsgard is in talks to join the upcoming live-action version of the classic fairy tale Cinderella, set to be directed by Kenneth Branagh. Already starring Lily James in the titular role, with Richard Madden, Cate Blanchett, Helena Bonham Carter, Sophie McShera and Holliday Grainger supporting her, the cast for this one is shaping up to be quite impressive.
If Skarsgard signs on, he’ll be re-teaming with Branagh as the duo previously worked together on Thor. As for the role that the actor is up for, he’s looking to play “the grand duke, the king’s adviser, who just may have ulterior motives.”
Admittedly, this is a film that has had a tough time getting off the ground, so it’s nice to see everything finally starting to come together. The search for the leading lady took quite a while and then there was the departure of original director Mark Romanek, who left because Disney wouldn’t accept his “darker” take on the tale.
Though only a supporting role, Skarsgard will definitely add to the film as he’s a dependable actor who almost always delivers. While I’m still curious to see what kind of tone Branagh’s version will go far, given what we know, I think the film is shaping up well and as of now, I have high hopes for it.
Production on Cinderella will begin in London this Fall for a March 13th, 2015 release date.