16TH MARCH 2006

CATE BLANCHETT REPRISES HER ROLE AS ELIZABETH I

Next month will see the start of principal photography on Golden Age, the follow-up to Working Title's 1998 award-winning film Elizabeth which follows the early years of Elizabeth I's life and reign.

Golden Age, an historical thriller set against the backdrop of the religious fanaticism of the late 16th century, picks up the story 15 years on from the events of Elizabeth and visits the 'Virgin Queen' in the middle years of her reign.

Much of the original cast will reunite for the film including Cate Blanchett (The Lord of the Rings, The Aviator) who will reprise her role as Elizabeth I and Geoffrey Rush (Pirates of the Caribbean, Munich) who will once again play Sir Francis Walsingham. Some new faces also join the cast, including Samantha Morton (Minority Report, The Libertine) playing Mary Stuart and Clive Owen (Closer, Sin City) who will play Sir Walter Raleigh. Shekhar Kapur will once again direct.

Golden Age will be filmed at Shepperton Studios and on location in Cambridgeshire.

Pictured: Cate Blanchett as Elizabeth I in 'Elizabeth'.