Lily James As Cinderella: Disney Hires 'Downton Abbey' Star For Kenneth Branagh's Fairy Tale Adaptation

'Downton Abbey' Star To Play Cinderella
LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 28: Lily James poses in the press room at The Laurence Olivier Awards at The Royal Opera House on April 28, 2013 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Marsland/WireImage)
LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 28: Lily James poses in the press room at The Laurence Olivier Awards at The Royal Opera House on April 28, 2013 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Marsland/WireImage)

Lily James has been fitted for a glass slipper. Disney announced on Tuesday that the "Downton Abbey" star will play the title princess in "Cinderella," Kenneth Branagh's upcoming adaptation of the famed fairy tale. The film does not yet have a release date.

In early April, Deadline.com revealed that James was on a short list of young actresses to play Cinderella, alongside Bella Heathcote ("Dark Shadows") and Margot Robbie ("Pam-Am," the upcoming film "The Wolf of Wall Street"). The part was originally earmarked for Emma Watson, who was in negotiations for "Cinderella" back in February; Watson had been attached to some form of "Cinderella," off and on, for nearly four years, but finally bowed out of consideration in March of this year.

James, 24, played Lady Rose McClare on Season Three of "Downton Abbey"; the actress is set to return for the show's fourth season.

"Cinderella" is also set to star Cate Blanchett as Cinderella's wicked stepmother.

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