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Cinderella director Kenneth Branagh has revealed what made him choose Lily James for the role of Ella.
Was it her beauty? Her soft features? Her mannerisms? No - it was mainly because of her voice.
"You don't know that you're going to make the movie until you make that piece of casting," he said to a room full of students at the Loyola Marymount Univiersity of Film and Television.
"You have to find the actor. It was a long process. I joined Cinderella, and they'd been working for a little while. There had been some screen tests. They'd seen hundreds and hundreds of girls. And Lily came in to read for one of the stepsisters. I remember [the casting director had] sent me a tape, and I was going to grab something, and I heard her. It was literally the voice to start with, because it's that warmth, those colours, that we needed."
The cast are busy promoting the movie, and just last night they attended the US premiere in LA.
Lily James looked incredible in a gown by Elie Saab - her fairytale dress is basically the stuff little girls' dreams are made of.
The 25-year-old told her Instagram followers: "Thank you @ElieSaabWorld for making me feel like a Princess! Also, a huge thanks to @louboutinworld and @charlotte_olympia for my beautiful Cinderella-inspired custom-made Glass Slipper and clutch."
READ GLAMOUR's REVIEW OF CINDERELLA
Cinderella is finally being released next month (27 March 2015) and we are TOO excited for words.
If you're waiting for the hotly anticipated movie release, we have a little teaser for you - a sneak peek at the scene when Ella (that's Cinderella by the way) meets her Prince.
Lily James is an ASOS cover star, and in the new issue she talks all about playing a Disney princess in Cinderella.
The British actress, who is perhaps best known for her role on Downton Abbey, opens up about her role as Cinderella: "Playing a Disney princess is the most amazing, unbelievable thing… and on the other, it's completely terrifying. I would say it's a cocktail of every sort of emotion. Princesses are great role models, they teach you about grief loss and have big hearts."
She also talks fashion with ASOS, recalling the time she sat next to Anna Wintour at a fashion show. "I'd had a couple of drinks beforehand so I was pretty relaxed… she was so nice," she said.
"She cracked a few jokes and pointed out dresses that she thought I could wear to the Cinderella premiere. Honestly, she was really cool".
As well as ASOS, Lily also features in US GLAMOUR's March issue and talks about finding her real-life Prince Charming (she's currently dating former Doctor Who star Matt Smith)
"As cynical as I can be, there's always a part of me that believes in love and the fairy tale. But what I like about this film is that Prince Charming doesn't just rescue a damsel in distress-it's about two people who make each other better. That's the fairy tale."
She also spoke about the glass slipper, telling GLAMOUR US: "My foot was actually CGI'd into the glass slipper. It was made out of Swarovski crystal, and I was always terrified I'd drop it! I have big, ugly feet, so luckily I had a foot double."
ASOS Magazine's April issue is out 25 February and available online at asos.com/magazine.
GLAMOUR US is out now, and to read more about Lily's interview, click here.
We have a new trailer for Cinderella, the new movie starring Lily James, Cate Blanchett, Richard Madden and Helen Bonham Carter.
The live action movie will hit cinemas on 27 March 2015 - watch the trailer below...
Are you as excited about the Cinderella film as we are?
Get an exclusive first look at the film with exclusive interviews with Cinderella (Lily James), the wicked stepmother (Cate Blanchett), her dashing prince (Richard Madden) and the fairy godmother (Helena Bonham Carter).
Cinderella is out in the UK on 27 March 2015.
We're getting very excited about Kenneth Branagh's Cinderella movie, especially now that we have brand new character posters.
One features the heroine (Lily James) and her prince (Richard Madden)...
One of the Fairy Godmother (Helena Bonham Carter)...
The Evil Stepmother (Cate Blanchett) and the two (not so) ugly stepsisters Anastasia (Holliday Grainger) and Drisella (Sophie McShera)...
Check out the trailer for a glimpse of what's to come.
Cinderella hits cinemas on 27 March 2015.
Fairytale fans rejoice - Disney has released the official trailer for its forthcoming live action version of Cinderella.
Directed by Kenneth Branagh and starring Downton Abbey's Lily James as Cinderella, Disney promises that their April 2015 release "brings to life the timeless images from the 1950 animated masterpiece as fully-realized characters in a visually dazzling spectacle for a whole new generation."
Warning: the trailer gives quite a lot away, BUT having said that, we do know the story pretty well.
Director, Kenneth Branagh said: "Being able to direct Disney's Cinderella in the 21st century means that you're in the driving seat for presenting a myth that has endured across the ages because it connects with human beings at a profound level. We identify with Cinderella, we love her. Cinderella is certainly placed in challenging circumstances, but she chooses not to be the damsel in distress and we see her make strong, positive choices in that regard."
The movie also stars Game of Thrones hottie Richard Madden, Cate Blanchett and Helena Bonham Carter. We also have Sophie McShera, and Holliday Grainger who both play Cinders' stepsisters.
That's what we call a stellar cast. Check out the trailer for a glimpse of what's to come.
Cinderella hits cinemas on 27 March 2015.
From Lady Rose MacClare to Cinderella: Downton Abbey star Lily James will go to the ball when she appears as Disney's new Cinderella in Kenneth Branagh's forthcoming live-action movie.
James was apparently chosen for the role after Emma Watson turned it down.
Cate Blanchett will appear as the evil stepmother.
Speaking of her appointment, director Branagh said: "It is impossible to think of Cinderella without thinking of Disney and the timeless images we've all grown up watching. 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."
Game Of Thrones star Richard Madden will star as Prince Charming and Helena Bonham Carter will be the fairy godmother.
Cinderella is set to hit the big screen in March 2015.
