As soon as it was announced that pop legend Madonna would be making her film (as director), “W.E.” about the relationship between King Edward VIII and American divorcee Wallis Simpson, which led to the King’s abdication from the throne, we started reserving a slot for it on our “Worst of 2011” list. But then the cast started turning up, and we wondered whether it might actually hold a little promise, as Ewan McGregor, Vera Farmiga and Abbie Cornish all signed on.
Farmiga dropped out a few weeks back due to her pregnancy, and McGregor left in favor of Terry Gilliam’s “The Man Who Killed Don Quixote.” But it’s not all bad news; according to the Daily Mail, two more excellent actors have now joined the project. Farmiga’s being replaced in the role of Wallis Simpson by the wonderful Andrea Riseborough (“Love You More,” the upcoming “Brighton Rock”), an interesting move as she’s a full decade younger than her predecessor. The script calls for the part to span almost 40 years, and the film’s producer Colin Vaines says that the director was “amazed at how Andrea can go across the full range.”
McGregor hasn’t been replaced as Edward yet, but Oscar “He is an OUTLAAAAW!” Isaac, currently seen in theaters as King John in “Robin Hood” has also joined, playing a security guard that Abbie Cornish’s character falls in love with in the film’s second, contemporary strand. We figure that there’s got to be some reason that these actors keep signing on to the project over and above just as an excuse to meet the singer of “Like A Virgin,” and Baz Bamigboye seems to suggest that the script’s improved over the last few drafts. But at the same time, it’s a movie directed by Madonna. So, you know…
