McGregor and Farmiga are out; God save Madonna’s W.E.
God save the Queen of Pop - well, at least her film project. Madonna is looking to direct her second feature film. The film, titled W.E., seemed promising enough with the likes of Vera Farmiga and Ewan McGregor interested, but now it appears that her film might be in jeopardy. McGregor has since declined the role of King Edward VIII in the film and Farmiga left the role of Wallis Simpson citing "private, family reasons."
It was announced this week that Farmiga is pregnant, so that could be the private family matter that they are referring to. McGregor was never a sure thing, as he was only in talks for the project. The film still has one star attached at this point. Er, I mean two, with Madonna still set to direct and Abbie Cornish still on board to play the role of Wally Winthrop.
It also appears that the film is down a producer in David Parfitt and casting director in Nina Gold, due to creative differences with the pop star. The pop star status may be to blame for their departures, as someone close to the film stated "Madonna finds it impossible to collaborate and delegate."
W.E. is a mix of historical film and fantasy. The story centers on a romantically-challenged woman named (Wally Winthrop), who is living in New York and becomes obsessed with the affair between King Edward VIII and Wallis Simpson that caused the King's abdication.
Shooting was to begin this summer but that may no longer be possible. As for Farmiga, there is no word on how this will effect her other film projects at this time. She was attached to star in A THOUSAND GUNS and make her directorial debut in HIGHER GROUND. McGregor can next be seen in the second installment of the NANNY MCPHEE series, NANNY MCPHEE AND THE BIG BANG, which will be released in August.
Source Digital Spy and The Daily Mail
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