March 8, 2005 - Columbia Pictures announced that production has begun on Sofia Coppola's "Marie Antoinette," about France's iconic eighteenth century Queen. Coppola is not only directing the film but also wrote the script which is loosely based on the book "Marie Antoinette - The Journey" by Lady Antonia Fraser.
Kirsten Dunst, who previously worked with Coppola on the teen drama "The Virgin Suicides," stars as the young Austrian princess who, as a teenager, becomes Queen of France.

Jason Schwartzman portrays her indifferent husband Louis XVI.

Rip Torn, Judy Davis, Steve Coogan, Asia Argento, Marianne Faithful, Aurore Clement, Molly Shannon and Shirley Henderson are also featured in "Marie Antoinette."

"Maria Antoinette" is produced by Coppola and Ross Katz. Fred Roos, Francis Ford Coppola and Paul Rassam are executive producing. Lance Acord is the director of photography with Milena Canonero designing the costumes and KK Barrett onboard as the production designer.

"Marie Antoinette" will be shot entirely in France. According to a press release issued by Columbia Pictures, much of the 11-week production schedule will be centered at the Palace of Versailles, which has granted the production unprecedented access.

Source: Columbia Pictures