Abbie Cornish is reportedly set to join the cast of Madonna’s upcoming period drama and sophomore directorial effort, “W.E.,” according to the one reputable source at the DailyMail.
The film will feature parallel narratives centering on the affair between King Edward VIII and Wallis Simpson — which led to the royal’s abdication — as well as a contemporary story following a woman, Wally Winthrop, with romantic problems of her own, in addition to an obsession with the life of the Duchess of Windsor.
2009 breakout star Cornish will play the contemporary Winthrop if negotiations come through, while Vera Farmiga, who is close to being secured, will portray the Duchess, though, both actresses’ participation is still dependent of who is cast in the two male lead roles. Madonna is looking to complete that casting in the following weeks in L.A. and London, for the respective roles of a Russian security guard, who will play the adulterous partner of Cornish’s Winthrop, and of course King Edward VIII himself.
She may not have much experience and her track record is weak at best (her debut “Filth & Wisdom” was panned) but credit to Madonna for having a good eye for talent. Based on a script by her and Alex Keshishian, the film sounds pretty ambitious with its royal “Julie & Julia”-esque intertwined, parallel narratives — as if one story wasn’t challenging enough for her — but we guess if she’s going to fail, the iconic popstar is going do it spectacularly.
Shooting will take play this summer in London with short stints in New York and the south of France.