Cate Blanchett says playing the role of Queen Elizabeth the first has had a big impact on her life.
"Elizabeth: The Golden Age,'' the sequel to the seven-time Oscar nominated "Elizabeth,'' has its gala screening tonight at the Toronto International Film Festival.
In a press conference at the festival this morning, Blanchett, who plays the Virgin Queen in both films, said she thinks Elizabeth the First was "utterly inspiring,'' "deeply intelligent'' and a great patron of the arts.
The second film, in what director Shekhar Kapur hopes will be a trilogy, sees Elizabeth facing familial betrayal, bloodlust for her throne and a declaration of war from King Philip the Second of Spain.
Geoffrey Rush reprises his role as Elizabeth's advisor, Sir Francis Walsingham, while Clive Owen is new to the cast as the queen's love interest, Sir Walter Raleigh. Owen says he was a huge fan of the first "Elizabeth'' and it was "no-brainer'' for him to jump onboard.
The film also stars Abbie Cornish, Rhys Ifans, Jordi Molla and Samantha Morton.
- Canadian Press
