“Miss Potter” is directed by Chris Noonan, produced by Mike Medavoy, and star Oscar-winner Rene Zellweger.At a time when most young women of her class aimed only to make a good marriage, Beatrix Potter became an iconic figure, swimming with great fortitude against the tide. She created a series of books and characters that are as beloved today as they were a hundred years ago; since their publication they have never been out of print. She was also a distinguished painter and–had she been a man–her botanical drawings would have been snapped up by the Royal Horticultural Society at Kew Gardens. Decade After BabeAustralian Chris Noonan committed to direct in spring 2004. The more he read, and researched, the more Noonan became fascinated by the woman, her life and her achievements. Signing Noonan for the project was inspirational?the director of “Babe” had waited a decade before choosing his follow-up movie. “I was offered every project under the sun, but I just couldn’t work up any enthusiasm for them. And when I did find something, the producers didn’t want to concentrate on what I found interesting about it.”Noonan on Zellweger“There is nothing over-produced or over-rehearsed about Ren?e’s performance,” said director Chris Noonan. “There’s real spontaneity. You know she has an anarchic, subversive sense of humor, and when you learn more about Beatrix Potter, you discover she had real wit, and was far earthier than you might suppose.”Ewan McGregorThe first choice to play Miss Potter’s secret sweetheart, publisher Norman Warne was Ewan McGregor. He and Zellweger worked together on “Down With Love” and thoroughly enjoyed the experience, and were actively looking for another film to do together. McGregor, recently a celebrated Sky Masterson on the West End stage in “Guys and Dolls,” plays Obi-Wan Kenobi in George Lucas’ three prequels to “Star Wars.” To read the complete article, visit www.emanuellevy.comThanks to Roberta for the find!

A new extended trailer is now available 🙂 Source: Moviefone (Thanks to Kimmy and Roberta for the heads-up!)You can find the screen caps in the gallery: more photos from the press conference:

Oscar Alums: Ren?e Zellweger (supporting actress, “Cold Mountain”), Anthony Powell (costume design, “Tess,” “Death on the Nile,” “Travels With My Aunt”), Martin Childs (art direction, “Shakespeare in Love”)”Miss Potter” has a lot in common with 2003’s J.M. Barrie-inspired “Finding Neverland”: It’s about a turn-of-the-century British children’s author whose most famous character is called Peter, it stars Acad faves and the plot involves a tragic loss.”Neverland” was nominated for seven statuettes, including picture and actor, while taking home just one, for original score.Somewhat similar to the incorporation of Barrie’s book characters in “Neverland,” Beatrix Potter’s illustrations — Peter Rabbit and Jemima Puddleduck included — come to life on screen in sequences interwoven with the live-action drama.Acad members will likely recall Chris Noonan’s last helming effort, 1995’s “Babe,” which also involved talking animals. Both pics have a sweetness that never gets sappy.The Aussie, who scored director and screenplay noms (the latter shared with George Miller) for “Babe,” hadn’t found the right fit for his follow-up until “Miss Potter.”This time, script was by Tony winner Richard Maltby Jr.Ren?e Zellweger’s perf as Potter is endearing and recalls her more contempo work in the “Bridget Jones” movies. (She was nominated for both an Oscar and a Golden Globe for the first “Jones” pic.) The Potter role is more serious, though not without levity, in the tradition of Jane Austen characters.Never-nommed Ewan McGregor, in heavy mustache, puts in solid work as Potter’s determined publisher and suitor Norman Warne. Two-time Oscar nominee Emily Watson (“Breaking the Waves,” “Hilary and Jackie”) makes another memorable supporting appearance as Norman’s sister Millie.Likely to strike a chord with Acad voters are the themes of an artist struggling against all odds and Potter’s conservationist bent (she amassed 4,000 acres of farmland, saving it from developers, and later bequeathed it to the British people.)Among the tech accomplishments that could make it into the kudo fray is the work of costume designer and Oscar veteran Anthony Powell, Oscar-winning production designer Martin Childs and cinematographer Andrew Dunn, who lensed “The Madness of King George.” Editor Robin Sales also could get attention for moving the 92-minute pic along briskly and with great joy. Source: www.variety.comThanks to Roberta for the article!