I presume W. E. stands for both Wallis & Edward and Wally & Evgeni, the two love stories that are featured in Madonna's upcoming film.
Sounds like this film will have a definite slant, one that has been described already as blurring fact and fiction. Alastair Bruce, who was the historical advisor for Downton Abbey, reportedly turned Madonna down as an advisor for her film since he felt uncomfortable with the inaccuracies of the script. It sounds like Madonna is set on glorifying Wallis Simpson, a person she's been fascinated with for some time, and in vilifying Queen Elizabeth, wife of King George VI.
From Daily Mail:
One source close to the project said: ‘The portrayal is so far removed from reality they’re almost unrecognisable to anyone who knows the facts. The film may work as entertainment but it certainly doesn’t work as history.’
Natalie Dormer has said of her role, "This country tends to remember the Queen Mother as a rather wrinkly 97 year-old, but I am playing her when she was quite an enchanting, engaging twenty and thirtysomething. She was quite a savage and savvy game player." [Hollywoodnews.com]
W.E. - update on Madonna's take on Wallis & Edward
Treasure Island (2012)
Sky is filming a major adaptation of Robert Louis Stevenson’s classic pirate novel, Treasure Island, with Eddie Izzard as Long John Silver and Philip Glenister cast as Captain Alexander Smollett.
The broadcaster wants to retell the coming-of-age tale in a modern, “muscular” way that will appeal to a broad family audience.
This is the first period drama by the network "with a Sky feeling of modernity,” a source said.
Keith Allen, David Harewood, Toby Regbo, Nina Sosanya, Daniel Mays
Characters:
Elijah Wood - Ben Gunn
Donald Sutherland -Flint
Toby Regbo - Jim Hawkins
Shirley Henderson - Jim's mother
Nina Sosanya - wife of Long John Silver
Phil Glenister - Capt. Smollet
Rupert Penry-Jones - Squire Trelawney
Daniel Mays - Dr. Livesey
David Harewood & Keith Allen - pirates Bones & Pew
From tv.fopii.com: The two part drama follows the story of Jim Hawkins who's unexpectedly drawn into the world of piracy when he discovers Flint’s treasure map. However, Long John Silver (Izzard) will stop at nothing to get hold of the gold for himself. As they set sail for Treasure Island, Jim embarks on an action adventure that will change his life forever.
With Silver preparing to lead a mutiny who will be the first to find Flint’s buried booty? Who will keep control of the ship? And who will leave the island alive?
Silver and Jim explore the true meaning of loyalty and betrayal as they battle it out for the treasure and ultimately their own survival.
Pyke commented: “I am thrilled that Sky drama is going on this extraordinary adventure to reinvigorate this classic story. With the unique and multi talented Eddie Izzard in the iconic role of Long John Silver, we’re set to deliver a hugely exciting, morally complex and compelling story of pirates, heroes, friendship and treachery. We’re delighted to be working with renowned producer Robert Halmi Sr. of RHI Entertainment in addition to, MNG Films, Parallel Films and Kindle Entertainment in what promises to be a stunning new production of a timeless family favourite."According to PhilipGlenister.com: "Filming is already underway in Ireland with locations in Cork and Dublin. The production moves to Puerto Rico after Christmas."
Source: broadcastnow.uk
Idina Menzel in new musical drama?!
She's well known in the Broadway community and after appearing on Glee, it seems that Idina Menzel is becoming better known! So pleased to hear of this upcoming television series!ABC is planning a new hourlong musical series starring Idina Menzel, described as "a mother-daughter relationship drama in the vein of Gilmore Girls. It will star the Broadway actress as the single mother of a teenager who, to make ends meet, waits tables and performs at weddings and bar mitzvahs, odd jobs that Menzel herself worked early on while pursuing a Broadway career." [Deadline]
Idina shown with Kristin Chenoweth in Wicked
The King's Speech - additional movie posters
The Evolution of a movie poster...
There are various movie posters continuing to appear for this film. I adore the first one shown which is a UK quad poster. The rest should try to approximate the grandeur of that one in my opinion! The King's Speech stars Colin Firth, Geoffrey Rush and Helena Bonham Carter.

source: Lovefilm




Director Tom Hooper, when asked about the original poster [shown on left] that has circulated, said: “I hate it. I hate it. And it is not going to ever be on any cinema walls. It will be replaced. It’s a train smash. It’s a train smash.”
Game of Thrones - preview videos

as seen in HBO's upcoming Game of Thrones
based on George R.R. Martin's novels to air in 2011.
More info at HBO
Photos can be found at Entertainment Weekly
Mildred Pierce (2011)
Kate Winslet stars in the title role of the HBO miniseries Mildred Pierce, along with Guy Pearce, Evan Rachel Wood , BrĂan O’Byrne , James LeGros , Melissa Leo, Mare Winningham and Hope Davis. Directed by Todd Haynes, Mildred Pierce is the epic story of a proud single mother struggling to earn her daughter’s love during the Great Depression in middle-class Los Angeles. The five-part miniseries, produced in association with MGM, will follow the story laid out by James M. Cain in his 1941 novel of the same name.
Cinderella - A Modern Musical Extravaganza
Cinderella: A Musical Extravaganza from Countdown Los Angeles on Vimeo.
Tweeted on Twitter ( Nov 28 update)
Topics that caught my eye on Twitter and elsewhere: The King's Speech, Sherlock Holmes 2, Water for Elephants, Marilyn, Royal Weddings, "Two Sirs with Love", Upstairs, Downstairs and a video for Downton Abbey...
I loved reading about the close friendship that developed between Colin Firth and Geoffrey Rush while filming A King' Speech: "Apparently, their closeness continued after the cameras stopped. Firth, 50, confesses to being in mourning after Rush, 59, whose scenes were shot first so he could run off to another commitment, left him in the lurch. "Yes, Geoffrey had to go do some meaningless play, which is his true calling," he says. Even Bonham Carter could not console him. "Helena, who I adore, was constantly going, 'Well, I'm not Geoffrey.' " [source]

with Rob Pattinson, Reese Witherspoon and Christoph Waltz

(Noomi Rapace, Robert Downey Jr. and Jude Law)


Slide show: Expat Royal Brides (with a commentary rating the success or lack of...)

Prince William at Prince Andrew's wedding (1986)
Peter Phillips and Autumn Kelly (2008)
See Royal Wedding Slide show at Bridesmagazine.co.uk

had to stop and admire these dresses on Kate Middleton.

Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber and Sir Tom Jones when questioned, have both said
they would be honoured to provide music for the impending royal nuptials.
And last but not least, I loved this great tribute video
made by Emily Roberts of Downton Abbey
[watch till the end to see Maggie Smith's weekend quote!]
Any Human Heart - more pics

currently airing on Channel 4 in UK
to be shown on PBS in February 2011

More on ANY HUMAN HEART
The Many Faces of Wallis Simpson
"I am so anxious for you not to abdicate and I think the fact that you do is going to put me in the wrong light to the entire world because they will say that I could have prevented it."
~ Wallis Warfield Simpson Some have described it as one of the greatest love stories, since the man in question was the reigning king of England, who chose to give up his throne for the woman he loved. The king was Edward VIII and he would forfeit all claim to the throne for American divorcée, Wallis Simpson, later to be known as the Duchess of Windsor. Many others would be less generous in describing their relationship since it caused quite the scandal at the time, creating a constitutional crisis for England and forcing Edward's younger brother Albert to take over the throne. Albert would become King George VI, father of the current Queen Elizabeth II.


photo: Laurie Sparham/The Weinstein Company


photo: Charles Ruby/WENN.com

Joely Richardson and Stephen Campbell Moore

Charles Edwards and Amber Sealey

Tom Wilkinson (Mr. Simpson) Jane Seymour & Anthony Andrews (as the Windsors)

Cynthia Harris and Edward Fox
[Edward Fox portrayed King Edward and his own brother James Fox
portrays Edward's father King George V in W. E.]

Faye Dunaway and Richard Chamberlain

photo: Brian Flannery/FlynetPictures.com


Daily Mail: Bewitched by Mrs Simpson
"As Madonna makes a film about her life and her jewellery goes up for auction, Tony Rennell explains our enduring fascination with the woman who almost brought down the monarchy"
Daily Mail: Madonna is accused of rewriting history in Abdication movie
when you show up to a party and someone else is wearing the same dress?