Lily James spellbinding at Cinderella premiere

Actress Lily James, who plays the role of Cinderella, and Richard Madden, who plays the Prince, pose on arrival for the World Premiere of Disney's Cinderella in Hollywood. Photo / AFP

Lily James looked like she has one amazing fairy godmother.

The 25-year-old actress dropped jaws as she transformed into an enchanting princess at the US premiere of Cinderella in Los Angeles.

The Downtown Abbey star, who plays the title role in the fairy-tale based film, stunned in a silvery blue gown featuring a dramatic voluminous skirt with a sweeping train.

The tulle Elie Saab Haute Couture dress was covered in silk embroidery crafted into exquisite flowers.

The corset she wore underneath accentuated her cleavage as a skinny silvery belt drew attention to her waistline, while a sheer layer of fabric covered her arms and décolletage.

Actress Lily James. Photo / AP

James lifted up her heavy skirt at one point to show off her striking peep-toe heels - transparent with gem-encrusted designs and a dazzling butterfly to boot.

After all, Cinderella's mysterious and glamorous glass slippers are essential to her character.

James further glammed up her look with platinum cluster earrings as well as a platinum cluster ring and an 18k white gold diamond ring, all by KWIAT.

Her blonde hair was swept back in a sleek bun at the nape of her neck, allowing her features to shine.

James was joined on the red carpet by her on-screen love, Game Of Thrones star Richard Madden, who plays Prince Charming.

Actress Lily James and actor Richard Madden. Photo / AP

The 28-year-old actor looked like royalty in a stately navy blue suit, with finely trimmed facial hair.

Their chemistry was clear for all to see as they interacted, with Madden wrapping his arms around James's waist as she exclaimed jubilantly.

Madden brought his girlfriend, Doctor Who star Jenna Coleman, as his date to the glamorous occasion.

James also bonded with her co-star, Cate Blanchett, who plays her evil stepmother, Lady Tremaine.

The actress's face lit up with delight as she chatted with Blanchett, 45, who placed a hand on her shoulder.

Blanchett went for a simple and sophisticated look, so as not to outshine James.

A scene from the movie Cinderella.

She wore a flowing long-sleeved white top tucked into a long high-waisted navy blue skirt, while accessorizing with a funky pendant necklace.

The premiere was also attended by Modern Family star Sarah Hyland, who was fun and flirty in a knee-length black dress covered in little gem clusters, along with strappy silver heels.

Cougar Town star Busy Phillips went a more a casual route, wearing a funky navy blue top covered in bright turquoise flowers, along with dark blue leggings and black boots.

The Help star Octavia Spencer went for casual chic with a dark blue blazer over a monochrome sweater, with jeans and brown leather heels.

Grumpy Cat also made a special guest appearance at the star-studded affair, wearing a Disney cap and appearing grumpier than ever.

A scene from the movie Cinderella.

Meanwhile, the modern retelling of Cinderella debuts on Friday, March 13 in the US and on March 26 in the NZ.

The film has been updated, to eliminate sexist undertones.

"The original animated version was much more about this boy who comes to save the day and this version is so not like that," Madden told The Guardian.

"It's the strong girl by herself and a young man coming together that makes the story, rather than a far more sexist view."

A scene from the movie Cinderella.

Director Kenneth Branagh recently addressed the painstaking process of casting Cinderella when the spoke to college students on Wednesday, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

"I joined Cinderella, and they'd been working for a little while," the 54-year-old director said. "There had been some screen tests. They'd seen hundreds and hundreds of girls.

"And Lily came in to read for one of the stepsisters. I remember [the casting director had] sent me a tape, and I was going to grab something, and I heard her.

A scene from the movie Cinderella.

"It was literally the voice to start with, because it's that warmth, those colours, that we needed."

And it seems he found the right actor to play Prince Charming as well, since James and Madden will again star as lovers in the play Romeo and Juliet under Kenneth's direction in London's West End.

He must have been impressed by their chemistry in Cinderella for him to cast them for his production which will launch at the Garrick Theatre, near Trafalgar Square, in spring 2016.

William Shakespeare's tragedy is one the director knows well, having played the role of Romeo opposite Samantha Bond's Juliet 29 years ago.

A scene from the movie Cinderella.

Meanwhile, James and her boyfriend, Doctor Who star Matt Smith, recently made their red carpet debut at the premiere of Cinderella in Milan last week - finally confirming their relationship.

James initially denied rumours they were dating, telling the Scottish Daily Record: "Me and Matt are not together. He's just my friend and we hang out a lot.

"We have the same circle of friends. We get on really well as we have a lot in common with acting."

Watch the trailer for Disney's Cinderella:

* Cinderella shows in New Zealand cinemas from March 26.

- Daily Mail