W.E.
Their affair ignited a scandal. Their passion brought down an empire.
Country
Production
Budget
$15 000 000
Box office
$2 042 203
Director
Actors
Scenario
Producer
Madonna, Kris Thykier, Harvey Weinstein, Donna Gigliotti, Scott Franklin
Camera operator
Hagen Bogdanski
Composer
Artist
Audition
Lucinda Syson, Elaine Grainger
Editing
Short description
In 1998, an auction of the estate of the Duke and Duchess of Windsor causes great excitement. For one woman, Wally Winthrop, it has much more meaning. Wally becomes obsessed by their historic love story. As she learns more about the sacrifices involved, Wally gains her own courage to find happiness.
What's left behind the scenes
- As preparation for the role, Madonna asked James D'Arcy to learn ballet, horseback riding, and bagpipe playing.
- A wedding dress by renowned designer Michael O'Connor, belonging to the National Museum of Costume in Scotland, was used during filming. The museum management responded with great enthusiasm to the filmmakers' request. The same dress was previously used in the filming of the television film "Wallis & Edward" (2005), where it was worn by Joely Richardson.
- Vera Farmiga was the primary candidate for the role of Wally Simpson for a long time. The actress left the project due to pregnancy and was replaced by Andrea Riseborough.
- Citing creative differences with Madonna, producer David Parfitt and casting director Nina Gold left the project during the pre-production stage.
- This is the second joint project for Abbie Cornish and Oscar Isaac within a single year. In that same year, 2011, the actors starred in Zack Snyder's film 'Sucker Punch'.
- The Weinstein Company, which purchased the film rights in the US, promoted it as Madonna's directorial debut. Despite its 81-minute runtime, the 2008 film 'Sweeps' was categorized as a short film by the American distributor.
- Vera Farmiga was long considered the main candidate for the role of Wallis Simpson. The actress dropped out of the project due to pregnancy and was replaced by Andrea Riseborough.
- During filming, a wedding dress designed by the renowned Michael O'Connor, owned by the National Museum of Scotland, was used. The museum's management responded with great enthusiasm to the filmmakers' request. This same dress had previously been used in the television movie 'Wallis & Edward' (2005), where it was worn by Joely Richardson.
- Citing creative differences with Madonna, producer David Parfitt and casting director Nina Gold left the project during pre-production.
- The Golden Globe-winning song from the film 'Masterpiece' did not meet the criteria of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and therefore could not be nominated for an Oscar. It begins approximately one minute after the first credits appear, whereas according to the rules, the cutoff point is the very beginning of the credits.
- Costume designer Arianna Phillips began her work a year before filming started. Wallis Simpson's wardrobe in the film consisted of over 80 costumes, many of which were made by the most prestigious European fashion houses. In addition to completely new designs, preserved costumes from that period were also used, as well as costumes specially made to the measurements and samples found in the archives. A total of 60 costumes were made for Wallis Simpson and about 30 for Edward.
- Several pieces of jewelry belonging personally to Madonna were also used during filming. In the scene where Wallis sprays perfume on the flowers, her black and white pearl and diamond earrings actually belonged to Madonna.
- Until the very last moment, Madonna hoped that the film's premiere could take place at the 2011 Cannes Film Festival. However, the film was not ready by the appointed date. Exhibitors and distributors attending the festival were offered only specially selected clips from the movie.
- The role of Lady Thelma Furness was initially offered to Margot Still. The actress dropped out of the project due to disagreements with Madonna.
- The role of King Edward VIII was initially offered to Ewan McGregor. After he dropped out of the project, he was replaced by James D'Arcy.
- James and Laurence Fox, who played father and son George V and George VI (Prince Albert) in the film, are also father and son in real life.
- The Weinstein Company, which acquired the film rights in the US, promoted it as Madonna's directorial debut. The 2008 film "Filth and Wisdom," despite its 81-minute runtime, was classified as a short film by the American distributor.
- The renowned firm of Cartier was enlisted to recreate a significant collection of Wallis Simpson’s jewelry. Through their efforts, ten pieces of jewelry were recreated, including an emerald engagement ring. The filmmakers were also able to use some of the surviving real jewelry of Wallis Simpson, which was kept in the archives of the major French jewelry firm Van Cleef & Arpels and was constantly accompanied by strong security on set.
- One of the Cartier bracelets made for the film slipped off Andrea Riseborough’s wrist and was lost at sea. A replacement was immediately ordered for it.
- One of the bracelets created by Cartier slipped off Andrea Riseborough's wrist and was lost at sea. A replacement was ordered immediately.
- The Golden Globe-winning song from the film "Masterpiece" did not meet the criteria of the American Film Academy and therefore could not be nominated for an Oscar. It begins approximately a minute after the first credits appear, whereas, according to the rules, the very beginning of the credits is the latest permissible moment.
- This is the second joint project for Abby Cornish and Oscar Isaac, within a single year. In 2011, the actors also starred in Zack Snyder's film "Sucker Punch."
- Up until the very last moment, Madonna hoped the film’s premiere would be at the 2011 Cannes Film Festival. However, the film was not ready by the scheduled date. Only specially selected excerpts from the film were offered to distributors and exhibitors who had arrived at the festival.
- The role of King Edward VIII was originally offered to Ewan McGregor. After he left the project, he was replaced by James D'Arcy.
- The famous firm Cartier was brought in to recreate Wallis Simpson's extensive jewelry collection. Through their efforts, ten pieces of jewelry were recreated, including the emerald engagement ring. The filmmakers were also able to use some of Wallis Simpson's surviving authentic jewelry. These pieces were held in the archives of the major French jewelry firm Van Cleef & Arpels and were constantly accompanied on set by heavy security provided by the company.
- As part of the preparation for the role, Madonna asked James D'Arcy to learn ballet, horseback riding, and how to play the bagpipes.
- James and Laurence Fox, who played the roles of father and son George V and George VI (Prince Albert) in the film, are also father and son in real life.
- Costume designer Arianna Phillips began her work a year before filming started. Wallis Simpson's wardrobe in the film consisted of more than 80 costumes, many of which were created by the most prestigious European fashion houses. In addition to entirely new models, surviving costumes from that period were used, as well as those specially made according to measurements and samples found in archives. In total, 60 costumes were made for Wallis Simpson and about 30 for Edward.
- Several pieces of jewelry personally owned by Madonna were also used during filming. In the scene where Wallis sprays perfume on flowers, her black and white pearl and diamond earrings actually belonged to Madonna.
- The role of Lady Thelma Furness was originally given to Margot Stilley. The actress left the project due to disagreements with Madonna.
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Auditions in India
Casting calls in USA
Castingi w Polsce
Кастинги в Україні
