Broadway World, 3 April 2013
By Movies News Desk

Director Kenneth Branagh couldn't get Hermione, so he's setting his sites on three new actresses.

Following the news that Emma Watson allegedly turned down the titular role in Disney's upcoming film adaptation of CINDERELLA, the studio and director have begun screen testing a new crop of young talent. According to Deadline, Bella Heathcoate (DARK SHADOWS), Lily James (DOWNTON ABBEY), and Margot Robbie (PAN AM) are the final three actresses in the running for the role.

Whichever leading lady nabs the highly-coveted role is set to be terrorized by the legendary Cate Blanchett, who will portray the wicked stepmother.

Deadline also reports that GAME OF THRONES' Richard Madden is being courted to play Cinderella's prince - the guy who launches an all-out crusade to test the girth and size of women's feet with a glass slipper. For Deadline's original casting announcement, click here.

CINDERELLA follows a string of recent fairytale reboots including Tim Burton's "Alice in Wonderland," Sam Raimi's "Oz: The Great and Powerful," and "Maleficent," based on "Sleeping Beauty's" villainess.

Production on the film is set to begin this fall with a planned release sometime in 2014.