Cate Blanchett to play Cinderella's wicked stepmother

It appears that Hollywood is ready to remake and re-imagine any story possible and even classic fairytales are not safe. Recent adaptations have included films such as Snow White and the Huntsman featuring Kirsten Stewart (The Twilight Saga) and Chris Hemsworth (Thor), as well as the upcoming Hansel and Gretel Witch Hunters starring Jeremy Renner (The Avengers) and Gemma Arterton (Quantum of Solace), and now the newest story to be re-told is Cinderella.

According to Deadline, Cate Blanchett (The Curious Case of Benjamin Button) is set to be the first cast member to sign on to Mark Romanek's (Never Let Me Go, One Hour Photo) new version of the classic fairytale and is in talks to play the wicked stepmother in the Walt Disney Pictures production.

The project was first announced in 2010 and the live-action film will be written by Chris Weitz (The Golden Compass, About a Boy), who will provide a brand-new take on the classic fairytale which centres on Cinderella and her evil stepmother who attempts to prevent her from attending the Royal Ball and meeting her Prince Charming.

Blanchett can next be seen reprising her role as Galadriel in Peter Jackson’s The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, which is released in the UK on December 13th.