Anne Hathaway to Executive Produce New ELLA ENCHANTED Series at Disney+
The series is in early development at the streamer.
Deadline reports that Anne Hathaway is executive-producing a potential new series adaptation of Ella Enchanted, the 2004 film in which she starred as the title character. Ilana Wolpert is penning the series, which is currently in early development for the streamer. Beth Schwartz is on board as the showrunner, with both also executive producing.
A satirical take on the fairy tale genre, the story follows teenager Ella of Free, who grapples with a "gift" of obedience. Placed on her by the fairy Lucinda, this forces her to obey any and all commands. Based on the Gail Carson Levine novel and Miramax film, this new version would retain the premise of the original tale but reframe it as a coming-of-age story set at a boarding school. This element is inspired by the book, but wasn't featured in the film.
This marks the latest franchise return for Hathaway at Disney, who recently reprised her role as Andy Sachs in The Devil Wears Prada 2 and is set to return to her breakout role as Mia Thermopolis in the long-awaited Princess Diaries 3. She is also playing a pop star in A24's Mother Mary.
The original film featured a cast that also included Hugh Dancy, Cary Elwes, Vivica A. Fox, Joanna Lumley, Steve Coogan, Heidi Klum, Minnie Driver, and Eric, among others. The soundtrack featured a few songs performed by members of the cast includding, including Jesse McCartney's Don't Go Breakin' My Heart, sung by Hathaway, and "Let Me Entertain You" from Broadway's Gypsy.
A stage adaptation, unrelated to the movie, features book and lyrics by Karen Zacarías, with music by Deborah Wicks La Puma. It debuted in Milwaukee and later won the 2018 Helen Hayes Award for Outstanding Musical Adaptation.
Hathaway is the recipient of many awards, including an Academy Award, a Primetime Emmy Award, and a Golden Globe Award. In February 2002, Hathaway starred in the City Center Encores! concert production of Carnival! in her New York City stage debut. In 2012, she played Fantine in the film adaptation of Les Misérables, for which she won an Oscar.
Photo Credit: Bruce Glikas
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