Emma Watson 'Cinderella' Role Turned Down as 'Downton Abbey' Star Lily James Cast for the Movie [VIDEO]
Emma Watson decided not take the lead role in Disney’s Cinderella before it was given to 24-year-old Lily James, The Independent reported Wednesday.
Watson was offered to play the character of the renowned fairytale but when she turned it down the role was passed on to James, who has appeared in Downton Abbey three times playing Lady Rose MacClare. She will star alongside Cate Blanchett, who will play her cruel stepmother. James has also played in Fast Girls, and the TV series' Secret Diary of a Call Girl and Just William.
The upcoming Cinderella follows a line of fairytale film remakes, including the Tim Burton-directed Alice in Wonderland, Sam Raimi's Oz: The Great and Powerful, and Robert Stromberg’s upcoming Maleficent, starring Angelina Jolie as sleeping beauty’s evil nemesis.
Cinderella has been in the making for two years. Drafts of the screenplay were completed by Twilight: New Moon’s Chris Weitz and Aline Brosh McKenna, who directed The Devil Wears Prada.
Disney also considered Saoirse Ronan, Gabriella Wilde and Alicia Vikander for the lead role but they could not sign any of them due to other commitments, according to the report.
The film will head for production this fall and is scheduled to be released in 2014.
