- Content: 
By Kayla DeKraker
More than two decades after the release of the beloved fantasy movie ELLA ENCHANTED, Disney+ is bringing the magical story back to audiences in a brand-new television adaptation.
The movie’s original star Anne Hathaway will executive produce the adaptation, which tells the story of 16-year-old Ella of Frell, who is cursed and learns about herself while in boarding school after her mother’s death.
Deadline exclusively reported that the series, “now in early stages of development, keeps the basic premise of the movie and Gail Carson Levine’s book it was loosely based on — it centers on the eponymous teen girl stuck with the unfortunate ‘gift’ of obedience. But it’s pulling away from being largely a Cinderella retelling romantic fantasy by giving the story a coming-of-age feel with a boarding school setting.”
Related: Anne Hathaway Calls Her Sons ‘The Most Sacred Part of My Life’
Along with Hathaway, Ilana Wolpert and Beth Schwartz will executive produce.
The original 2004 ELLA ENCHANTED was a comedic take on the fairy tale. It included pop-culture references and upbeat music and drifted somewhat from the original story.
Deadline said the deal extends Hathaway’s extensive relationship with Disney, which began when she was a teenager and starred in the company’s movies like PRINCESS DIARIES and THE OTHER SIDE OF HEAVEN.
“Like so many of you, I was introduced to Disney as a child, learning how to dream and tell stories. Playing Mia in PRINCESS DIARIES became this magical portal that opened up my whole life and now with the DEVIL WEARS PRADA franchise; these two films that have shaped my career the most are at the same wonderful home, and I am so honored to be a part of the family,” she said.
The original ELLA ENCHANTED movie was not viewed very highly by Movieguide®, so we hope the series will be better.
The review reads, “ELLA ENCHANTED had great potential to be involving and interesting for children but spends more time advancing a socialist political message than entertaining them. Once the story kicks into high gear, it becomes very grim – the uncle is revealed to be a murderer, and the heroine is nearly forced to kill her love, the young prince.”
The review notes, “What works for the film is Anne Hathaway, the star of THE PRINCESS DIARIES. As Ella, she comes across as natural and very likeable. What doesn’t work are the anti-capitalist, politically correct, socialist messages embedded in the story.”
No further details about the ELLA ENCHANTED TV series have been announced.
Read Next: Anne Hathaway’s 5 Years of Sobriety ‘Feels Like a Milestone’
Questions or comments? Please write to us here.
– Content: +1