Cinderella is a 2015 romantic fantasy film directed by Kenneth Branagh and written by Chris Weitz. It is a live-action adaptation of the fairy tale of the same name, and Walt Disney's 1950 animated film. It stars Lily James as Cinderella, with an ensemble cast including Cate Blanchett, Richard Madden, Stellan Skarsgård, Holliday Grainger, Sophie McShera, Derek Jacobi, and Helena Bonham Carter. Development for Cinderella began in May 2010, with producer Simon Kinberg and screenwriter Aline Brosh McKenna attached to the project.