DVDizzy Forum

Disney's Divinity wrote:I personally knew Lily James before Cinderella and I think most people did. Both she and Madden seemed to be farmed from popular shows (GoT / Downton), and she was as bland there as on Downton. Madden was great though, but he was also great on GoT, so there you go.

To be honest, I thought that James did a fine job in Cinderella. She managed to make Cinderella a sweet, humble and warm character. Perhaps James doesn't have a x-factor, yet she's fairly likable enough in her roles. I agree that Madden was great, though.

I wholeheartedly agree, DisneyFan09!!! Except I feel Lily and Richard were equal in great performances.

Great minds think alike

Lily James is probably the best thing about Cinderella, she's just so radiant and lovely and makes you fall in love with her instantly. She was good in Baby Driver too, but she was just AMAZING in Mamma Mia! 2, where she adapted her character to fit the older version played by Meryl Streep, but also made the role her own. So yeah, given the Emma Watson fiasco, I'd rather have them cast a (relatively) unknown actress for Ariel, regardless of her ethnicity.

Lily James was ethereal in Cinderella. It didn't feel like she was playing a character. Any other actress could easily have turned the role into a caricature of a fairy tale princess, but Lily James brought a sweet sensibility to the role that made the character feel like a real person in a fairy tale.

Richard Madden was great as well because the princes in these sorts of films tend to be lifeless hunks, but Madden was able to flesh out the archetypal prince charming. Really wish I could have seen Kenneth Branagh's adaptation of Romeo and Juliet featuring both his Cinderella lead actors in the titular roles.

JeanGreyForever wrote:I love Emma Watson as a humanitarian and for her philanthropy work, but I find her more insufferable as an actress than Zendaya. Mainly because she seems to always play the same role and she's praised for it always.

I don't find her acting to be insufferable, but as you said, she's basically playing the same character. She has enough depth as an actress, yet doesn't know how to use it properly. Her crying scene in Beauty was just awful.

Zendaya has never outright bothered me but I don't really watch her in interviews and stuff. I always thought she was down-to-earth but maybe she isn't.

Well, it would be unfair to judge her completely, but nothing about her aura and demeanor that suggest down to Earth. Besides, there were reports about her ignoring fans during her Shake it Up-time (yes, it may seem superfluous to believe in such rumors, but still).

Either way, I know that I've ranted about Ariel long ago and while my feelings about her arc and drive has softened a bit, I would've still liked to see someone that is more likable to portray Ariel. And frankly, though I used to like Lindsay Lohan in her prime (because of her charisma and potential), I just don't see her as Ariel.

Mooky wrote:Lily James is probably the best thing about Cinderella

For me, it's a tossup between Madden and HBC for the best part of 2015's Cinderella. Cate Blanchett would be if the character hadn't been a confused, discordant mishmash of every famous version of Cinderella's stepmother thrown into a blender. Blanchett's never looked more gorgeous than in Cinderella though, imo. For me, Lily James is just above Brandy as far as the worst Cinderella's. At least James fades away lifelessly into the wallpaper instead of sticking out like a sore thumb the way Brandy does. For what it's worth, Zendaya is much, much worse than Lily James to me.

But back to my original point, I don't agree at all that Lily James was an unknown or that they cast her based on 'merit'.... I'd say the actor for Aladdin in the live-action film coming out next year is the real definition of someone unknown chosen on merit.

Mooky wrote:Lily James is probably the best thing about Cinderella, she's just so radiant and lovely and makes you fall in love with her instantly. She was good in Baby Driver too, but she was just AMAZING in Mamma Mia! 2, where she adapted her character to fit the older version played by Meryl Streep, but also made the role her own. So yeah, given the Emma Watson fiasco, I'd rather have them cast a (relatively) unknown actress for Ariel, regardless of her ethnicity.

I though Cinderella was good in other aspects as well. It had a fine score, nice visuals and was generally good. But yeah, Lily James was good in Baby Driver, by having a flawless American accent.

DisneyFan09 wrote: I don't find her acting to be insufferable, but as you said, she's basically playing the same character. She has enough depth as an actress, yet doesn't know how to use it properly. Her crying scene in Beauty was just awful.

Well, it would be unfair to judge her completely, but nothing about her aura and demeanor that suggest down to Earth. Besides, there were reports about her ignoring fans during her Shake it Up-time (yes, it may seem superfluous to believe in such rumors, but still).

Either way, I know that I've ranted about Ariel long ago and while my feelings about her arc and drive has softened a bit, I would've still liked to see someone that is more likable to portray Ariel. And frankly, though I used to like Lindsay Lohan in her prime (because of her charisma and potential), I just don't see her as Ariel.

Yeah she wasn't able to at all successfully emote in the transformation scene.

I always hated Shake It Up so I ignored pretty much anything to do with that show. Not surprised I missed out on rumors about Zendaya. In my experience, if there are multiple occasions when a celebrity is accused of being rude to their fans, it's likely true.

I used to love Lindsay Lohan back in her heyday as well. The only reason I can't see her as Ariel is because she tended to do pretty modern roles. I don't think she ever did a period film or costume drama. However, Ariel herself was basically just an 80s/90s teenager in her film so I don't think it would be that difficult to imagine Lohan playing Ariel.

Wow, I feel so happy, hearing all the wonderful things about Lily James, Richard Madden, Helena Bonham Carter, Cate Blanchett, and Cinderella 2015!!! I love the movie so much. And I love Baby Driver! I also agree about Emma Watson. I don't think Lily James that well known before because Downton Abbey I thought had such a limited audience. At least we can agree Lily James is better than Zendaya!

I would have loved 2000's era Lindsay Lohan as Ariel!

JeanGreyForever wrote:I always hated Shake It Up so I ignored pretty much anything to do with that show.

You oughta be, since it's a DC show anyways No, but that show is mostly terrible, even by DC standards.

I used to love Lindsay Lohan back in her heyday as well. The only reason I can't see her as Ariel is because she tended to do pretty modern roles. I don't think she ever did a period film or costume drama. However, Ariel herself was basically just an 80s/90s teenager in her film so I don't think it would be that difficult to imagine Lohan playing Ariel.

I used to love Lindsay as well, yet I don't see her playing Ariel. Mainly because she's not attractive enough (yes, I know I'm shallow, but still).

Disney Duster wrote:I don't think Lily James that well known before because Downton Abbey I thought had such a limited audience.

Remember that Dan Stevens was also from Downton Abbey.

At least we can agree Lily James is better than Zendaya!

Agreed!

DisneyFan09 wrote: You oughta be, since it's a DC show anyways No, but that show is mostly terrible, even by DC standards.

I used to love Lindsay as well, yet I don't see her playing Ariel. Mainly because she's not attractive enough (yes, I know I'm shallow, but still).

Remember that Dan Stevens was also from Downton Abbey.

I'm still shocked that both Zendaya and Bella Thorne managed to become successful after that show but I guess it had its fanbase.

Do you mean current Lindsay or 2000s Lindsay isn't attractive enough to play Ariel for you?

Dan Stevens is another good example of a fairly unknown actor who has only recently become more recognized for his work in BATB and the Fox show Legion.

JeanGreyForever wrote:I'm still shocked that both Zendaya and Bella Thorne managed to become successful after that show but I guess it had its fanbase.

Yeah, but some Disney stars manages to succeed afterwards. Remember that this is showbiz, after all. But it doesn't mean that their careers will be everlasting

Do you mean current Lindsay or 2000s Lindsay isn't attractive enough to play Ariel for you?

2000's Lindsay. While Lindsay is somewhat attractive, I've never considered her to be drop dead gorgeous (yes, I know that I'm shallow, but still)

Dan Stevens is another good example of a fairly unknown actor who has only recently become more recognized for his work in BATB and the Fox show Legion.

Yeah. While at least he was better than Emma Watson in 2017's Beauty, I'm not particularly fond of him. I find him to be unappealing and not having any "it" quality.

DisneyFan09 wrote: Yeah, but some Disney stars manages to succeed afterwards. Remember that this is showbiz, after all. But it doesn't mean that their careers will be everlasting

2000's Lindsay. While Lindsay is somewhat attractive, I've never considered her to be drop dead gorgeous (yes, I know that I'm shallow, but still)

Yeah. While at least he was better than Emma Watson in 2017's Beauty, I'm not particularly fond of him. I find him to be unappealing and not having any "it" quality.

Bella Thorne has been mostly sticking to TV projects though while Zendaya has been part of some huge films recently so at least Zendaya is likely here to stay.

I thought Lindsay was pretty enough but I agree that out of her contemporaries, I think someone like Hillary Duff is more attractive. Aaron Carter didn't seem to think so though.

I don't particularly care much for the roles and films that Dan Stevens picks. I liked his version of the Beast but it wasn't comparable to the performance Robby Benson gave in the 1991 animated film. Stevens' Beast was servicable, especially in comparison to Watson's Belle, but I didn't care for the take. The British accent somehow didn't work for me, but him not screaming "GO AHEAD AND STARVE," along with being very educated and literary took away from the original character, at least for me.

JeanGreyForever wrote:so at least Zendaya is likely here to stay.

Yes, but that doesn't make her career foolproof

I thought Lindsay was pretty enough but I agree that out of her contemporaries, I think someone like Hillary Duff is more attractive. Aaron Carter didn't seem to think so though.

Agreed, but I know several guys who found Lindsay attractive during her heyday. Hilary Duff has become even more attractive lately, though she's always been more attractive than Lohan. And yes, who can't forget Aaron Carter's fling with them both.

I don't particularly care much for the roles and films that Dan Stevens picks. I liked his version of the Beast but it wasn't comparable to the performance Robby Benson gave in the 1991 animated film. Stevens' Beast was servicable, especially in comparison to Watson's Belle, but I didn't care for the take. The British accent somehow didn't work for me, but him not screaming "GO AHEAD AND STARVE," along with being very educated and literary took away from the original character, at least for me.

Of course Robby Benson was superior. But the reason why I thought Stevens fared better than Watson, was that he managed to create a little bit of sympathy for the Beast and a little bit of inner beauty. That was more than Watson managed to create, though her attempts of it were unfortunately quite brief (which really has been one of my rants about Watson, but I know I'm repeating myself).

DisneyFan09 wrote: Yes, but that doesn't make her career foolproof

Agreed, but I know several guys who found Lindsay attractive during her heyday. Hilary Duff has become even more attractive lately, though she's always been more attractive than Lohan. And yes, who can't forget Aaron Carter's fling with them both.

Of course Robby Benson was superior. But the reason why I thought Stevens fared better than Watson, was that he managed to create a little bit of sympathy for the Beast and a little bit of inner beauty. That was more than Watson managed to create, though her attempts of it were unfortunately quite brief (which really has been one of my rants about Watson, but I know I'm repeating myself).

That's true.

I'm not a guy so that might also explain my feelings towards Lindsay's looks. Hillary Duff is even more beautiful now like you said. I'm surprised she hasn't done anything for Disney recently.

Honestly, almost everyone in the live-action BATB fared better than Emma Watson. Thank goodness Disney doesn't seem keen on repeating actors for the same lead roles otherwise we might be seeing Emma Watson playing Ariel too. There's certainly enough fanart on the Internet to display that.

DisneyFan09 wrote:

Disney Duster wrote:I don't think Lily James that well known before because Downton Abbey I thought had such a limited audience.

Remember that Dan Stevens was also from Downton Abbey.

Yes, I think both Lily James and Dan Stevens were picked from a more obscure show.

Downton Abbey was not an obscure show. Maybe some of you didn’t watch it, but I don’t watch The Big Bang Theory and yet I wouldn’t call someone like Jim Parsons an “unknown.”

JeanGreyForever wrote:I'm not a guy so that might also explain my feelings towards Lindsay's looks.

I had the indication that you were a girl! But even girls can find other girls attractive, regardless of their sexuality

Hillary Duff is even more beautiful now like you said. I'm surprised she hasn't done anything for Disney recently.

True, but she's technically not a Disney kid anymore.

Honestly, almost everyone in the live-action BATB fared better than Emma Watson. Thank goodness Disney doesn't seem keen on repeating actors for the same lead roles otherwise we might be seeing Emma Watson playing Ariel too. There's certainly enough fanart on the Internet to display that.

Agreed. It's almost funny that Watson was offered Cinderella, but I doubt she could pull it off.

And yes, everyone else fared better than Watson, even Luke Evans. It's a pity that Emma Thompson's screentime was reduced, since I love her.

I'd have rather had Emma Watson for Cinderella than what we got, but she's a much better fit for Belle and B&tB is the better film (both the animated and the live-action).

(I'd take her over Zendaya for Ariel, too, red hair or no. )