The first trailer has been released for Disney’s new live-action adaptation of Cinderella, starring Downton Abbey‘s Lily James.

Directed by Kenneth Branagh (Thor), the movie also stars Helena Bonham Carter, Cate Blanchett and Game of Thrones actor Richard Madden.

Cinderella will be released in UK cinemas on 27 March 2015.

Watch the trailer…

The story of Cinderella follows the fortunes of young Ella (Lily James) whose merchant father remarries following the death of her mother. Eager to support her loving father, Ella welcomes her new stepmother (Cate Blanchett) and her daughters Anastasia (Holliday Grainger) and Drisella (Sophie McShera) into the family home. But, when Ella’s father unexpectedly passes away, she finds herself at the mercy of a jealous and cruel new family.

Finally relegated to nothing more than a servant girl covered in ashes, and spitefully renamed Cinderella, Ella could easily begin to lose hope. Yet, despite the cruelty inflicted upon her, Ella is determined to honor her mother’s dying words and to “have courage and be kind.” She will not give in to despair nor despise those who mistreat her. And then there is the dashing stranger she meets in the woods.

Unaware that he is really a prince, not merely an apprentice at the Palace, Ella finally feels she has met a kindred soul. It appears her fortunes may be about to change when the Palace sends out an open invitation for all maidens to attend a ball, raising Ella’s hopes of once again encountering the charming Kit (Richard Madden).

Alas, her stepmother forbids her to attend and callously rips apart her dress. But, as in all good fairy tales, help is at hand, and a kindly beggar woman (Helena Bonham Carter) steps forward and – armed with a pumpkin and a few mice – changes Cinderella’s life forever.

Kenneth Branagh commented: “I reread the fairy tale when Disney first approached me about the project and was reminded of what an amazingly powerful story it is. It’s a classic piece of storytelling where the central character goes on a journey that we can really identify with, so the texture and landscape of a great story was wonderful to play with as a director….I was excited to have the chance to retell a classic story in a way which would be both appealing and have meaning for modern audiences…”

Are you looking forward to Cinderella? Let us know below…