The Independent, 21 November 2014
By Jess Denham

The first trailer for upcoming Disney film 'Cinderella' has broken the studio’s record for the most online views in 24 hours, excluding Marvel releases.

Starring 'Downton Abbey'’s Lily James as Ella and Cate Blanchett as the wicked step-mother, the fairytale teaser racked up a massive 4.2 million YouTube views and 33 million Facebook views when it was uploaded on Wednesday, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

To date, nearly 7.25 million people have watched the trailer, which also features Richard Madden as Prince Charming and Helena Bonham Carter as the Fairy Godmother.

Based on Charles Perrault’s story, 'Cinderella' follows the changing fortunes of young Ella, who finds herself at the mercy of a jealous and cruel new stepfamily when her merchant father passes away.

Despite the harsh treatment inflicted upon her, she remains determined to honour her mother’s dying words and to “have courage and be kind”, the official synopsis reads.

Then, of course, there is the handsome stranger she meets in the woods who may or may not be a prince. Okay, he’s a prince, and yes, some exciting things happen involving a ball, a pumpkin, some mice and a kindly beggar woman with more to her than first meets the eye.

Cinderella follows Disney’s huge recent successes 'Maleficent', starring Angelina Jolie, and 'Alice in Wonderland', featuring Johnny Depp.

To put the 'Cinderella' trailer’s success into perspective, 'Maleficent'’s first teaser clip was viewed 1.5 million times on its first day and grossed $757.7 million worldwide earlier this year.

Directed by Kenneth Branagh, Cinderella reaches UK cinemas on 27 March 2015.

James' 'Downton' co-star Sophie McShera also stars as evil stepsister Drizella, alongside Holliday Grainger, Derek Jacobi and Stellan Skarsgard.