At one time, Saoirse Ronan, Alicia Vikander and Gabriella Wilde were in the running for the title part in Disney‘s (inevitable) live action reboot of “Cinderella.” But that was before Mark Romanek exited the movie over differences about his cash and his vision for the movie, ultimately to be replace at the end of January by Kenneth Branagh. And now a new leading lady seems to be ready to put on the glass slipper.
Variety reports that Emma Watson is in early talks to take on the role in the Branagh directed movie. The trade notes the three names above along with Playlist fave Imogen Poots were in the running, but for a variety of reasons none of them could be locked down. If Watson takes the role, she’ll be joining Cate Blanchett as the evil stepmother in the Chris Weitz and Aline Brosh McKenna-penned tale that is presumably bringing a fresh spin to a familiar story. It’s the latest in Disney’s new string of big budget fairy tale/fantasy movies based on existing properties that started with “Alice In Wonderland,” continues this year with “Oz The Great The Powerful” and will keep running in 2014 with “Maleficent.” (Oh yeah, we suppose “John Carter” counts but we don’t want to remember that one).
It would be a return to blockbuster territory for Watson, who has been spending her post-Potter time in fare like “My Week With Marilyn,” “Perks Of Being A Wallflower” and the upcoming “The Bling Ring.” She’s also got a role in Darren Aronofsky‘s “Noah,” which we suppose is a blockbuster too, but certainly not a conventional one. Disney is aiming to get this one in front of cameras in the fall.
