'Cinderella' debuts the latest of its many versions
Camila Cabello gives ‘Cinderella’ a do-over on Amazon Canada
Entertainment history suggests that any year, and any generation, has room for a Cinderella story.
The fairy tale about the goodhearted but oppressed young woman – complete with wicked stepmother and mean stepsisters – who eventually finds her prince and becomes the belle of a ball has been one of the most retold of all stories. Now, it’s emerging again in another version, the first to head straight to a streaming service for its debut.
Amazon Canada unveils its “Cinderella” on Friday, Sept. 3, with music star Camila Cabello making her acting debut in the title role. Adapted and directed by Kay Cannon (“Pitch Perfect”), the film was intended for a theatrical release by Columbia Pictures, but the coronavirus pandemic (which shut down the filming for six months) ultimately made it bypass theaters and take the streaming path instead. (Paramount’s “The Tomorrow War” and “Coming2America” were other developedfor-theaters movies released first on Amazon.)
Also a producer of the latest “Cinderella,” James Corden is a cast member along with Idina Menzel (as the bad stepmom), Minnie Driver, Pierce Brosnan, Primetime Emmy winner Billy Porter (“Pose”) and Missy Elliott. British actor Nicholas Galitzine plays the prince, and expectedly, Cabello and “Wicked” stage veteran Menzel sing in the project. A soundtrack is slated for digital release the same day the movie premieres.
Here’s a look at some other notable variations of “Cinderella” from years past.
“Cinderella” (1950): The animated Disney classic is an immediate go-to for many families.
Of note to fans of television trivia: The singing voice of Prince Charming was later talk-show host Mike Douglas.
“Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella” (1957): Designed by the composers with her in mind, Julie Andrews got some of her first major American exposure in this TV production that became a stage venture afterward.
“Cinderfella” (1960): This Jerry Lewis comedy gave many of the principal roles a gender switch.
“Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella” (1965): Lesley Ann Warren was showcased by this telecast, with later “General Hospital” staple Stuart Damon as her prince.
“The Slipper and the Rose: The Story of Cinderella” (1976): Director Bryan Forbes’ lavish British musical casts Gemma Craven in the title role and Richard Chamberlain (who can carry a tune) as the prince.
“Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella” (1997): Whitney Houston (as the Fairy Godmother) and Brandy made a tuneful combination in this revision.
“Ever After: A Cinderella Story” (1998): Drew Barrymore tried on the central role (named Danielle here) in this well-received version.
“A Cinderella Story” (2004): Hilary Duff is a modern stand-in for the classic Cinderella in this update.
“Cinderella” (2015): As Disney was turning many of its animated classics into live-action features, Kenneth Branagh directed this one, with Lily James as “Ella.”