Amanda Seyfried is stepping into a refreshingly unconventional fairytale world, taking on the iconic role of Cinderella in Netflix’s upcoming animated feature Steps—a film that flips the script on villains and heroes alike. With a darker, comedic twist on the classic story, the film promises to challenge everything audiences think they know about happily-ever-after.
Directed by Alyce Tzue and John Ripa, Steps features Seyfried alongside Ali Wong (Lilith) and Stephanie Hsu (Margot). In a twist on Cinderella’s evil stepsisters, the film follows Lilith, who is blamed for hijacking the Royal Ball with a stolen magic wand, as per Variety.
The story takes a chaotic turn when Lilith accidentally turns her sister Margot into a frog and leaves the kingdom under the control of a prince-obsessed mean girl. Forced to confront her mistakes, Lilith embarks on an unlikely journey to fix the fractured fairytale. Along the way, she teams up with Cinderella and a surprisingly charming troll to restore order and prove that even those labeled as “villains” deserve redemption.
The film aims to humanize its characters, especially Cinderella, presenting her as a modern heroine with flaws, emotional depth, and relatable struggles rather than a perfect fairytale figure.
On receiving the opportunity, Tzue said, “Amanda has this incredible ability to make her characters specific and relatable, and we absolutely needed that when taking on a character that’s as legendary as Cinderella. We wanted to create a modern heroine complete with flaws and coping mechanisms, and Amanda immediately understood the task. Her portrayal of Cinderella is hilarious and heartbreaking and, most importantly, refreshingly human. You won’t want to miss it.”
Backing the project is a strong production team, with Amy Poehler, Jane Hartwell, and Kim Lessing serving as producers. Poehler and Lessing will produce under their banner, Paper Kite Productions.
With its unique premise, star-studded cast, and emotionally layered storytelling, Steps is shaping up to be a bold reinvention of a beloved tale—one where redemption, humor, and humanity take center stage.
