Blunt, Broadbent, Bettany lead powerhouse Victoria cast

by Naman Ramachandran

24/08/2007 - Producers Graham King and Martin Scorsese have assembled a heavyweight British cast for their royal biopic The Young Victoria. Emily Blunt plays the titular role of Queen Victoria in the film that charts the monarch’s tumultuous ascension to the British throne.

In addition, Jim Broadbent plays King William and Paul Bettany essays the role of the Queen’s trusted advisor Lord Melbourne while Rupert Friend plays the Queen’s first cousin and spouse Prince Albert.

Friend starred with Keira Knightley in Pride & Prejudice [trailer], Blunt won notice for her performance in The Devil Wears Prada, Bettany made a mark with his chilling turn in The Da Vinci Code while veteran Broadbent, an Academy Award winner for Iris, is also working on the latest instalment of the Indiana Jones franchise.

Jean-Marc Vallée, who last made C.R.A.Z.Y. in 2005, is directing the film. Academy Award winner Julian Fellowes (Gosford Park) has written the screenplay. Sarah Ferguson, the Duchess of York, brought the project to King’s attention. She and Tim Headington also take producer credits along with Scorsese and King for GK Films.

The Yong Victoria continues the film world’s ongoing obsession with chronicling the British monarchy, recent examples being the multiple award-winning The Queen [trailer, film focus] and Shekhar Kapur’s Rome premiere gala opener Elizabeth: The Golden Age [trailer] (see news).

Shooting began August 13th at various UK locations. The Initial Entertainment Group is financing the film.