With Vera Farmiga now insanely hot following her Oscar nomination for Up In The Air, it's little wonder she's unable to fit in all the films she'd like to make. A couple of months ago it was announced she'd be playing Wallis Simpson's in singer turned writer/director Madonna's unusual biopic of Edward VIII and Wallis Simpson, called W.E.
However, Farmiga's since dropped out, and now Screen International says Madge has found her replacement in the form of actress Andrea Riseborough. While not as well known as the Up In The Air actress, Riseborough does have the right look for Simpson. She's previously been seen in the likes of Magicians, Happy-Go-Lucky and played a young Maggie Thatcher in the 2008 TV movie, Margaret Thatcher: The Long Walk to Finchley. Andrea also has a major role in the upcoming remake of Brighton Rock and stars alongside Carey Mulligan and Keira Knightley in Never Let Me Go.
As yet there's no news on who will play Edward in the retelling of the 1930s royal abdication drama (although as with Julie & Julia, there will apparently be a concurrent modern story in the film as well), as like Farmiga, Ewan McGregor was cast in the role but then dropped out. However, an announcement is expected very shorts, ahead of a shoot planned for this summer.