Fans of Disney’s classic fairy tales may want to keep their expectations minimal for the first trailer and poster of Kenneth Branagh’s live-action adaptation of Cinderella. Although the film has a terrific ensemble, with Downton Abbey‘s Lily James anchoring the project in the title role, there is real footage or any images shown. Instead, this teaser material displays three things: the March release month, the Disney logo and that iconic glass shoe. There is not even a title, although the slipper is probably enough of a hint to clue in fans of the Disney princess.
The trailer is sparkling, showing prisms of reflections off of the slipper as the camera circles around it and then zooms out to reveal the high-heeled shoe in its glass form. Then, a butterfly rests on the toe. It is an appropriately elegant teaser and the blue hues are also there to represent the colour of the character’s dress (or perhaps capitalize on the icy blue tints from Frozen‘s marketing). The teaser will most likely play before Maleficent, which makes sense due to how both titles are live-action updates of the studio’s classic animated films.
The poster is more of the same, and feels like a more mystical spin on the poster for The Devil Wears Prada. Speaking of Prada, that film’s screenwriter, Aline Brosh McKenna, worked on Cinderella‘s script with The Golden Compass‘s Chris Weitz.
Kenneth Branagh, with his extensive career of directing strong Shakespeare adaptations and some work with more effects-driven fantasy (Thor), is an inspired choice to helm this film, which will reunite him with his ex-girlfriend, Helena Bonham Carter, who plays The Fairy Godmother. Cate Blanchett is another fantastic casting choice, as the vindictive Lady Tremaine, while Game of Thrones‘ Richard Madden is Prince Charming. Branagh is clearly happy to have the marvellous stage actor Derek Jacobi as The King, while Marvel actors Hayley Atwell and Stellan Skarsgård round out the ensemble.
We will see if the cast and crew fit this fairy tale when Cinderella comes out on March 13, 2015.
