Broadbent, Richardson join Queen Victoria movie

In this file photo, actor Jim Broadbent answers questions during the panel for the HBO film ''Longford'' at the Television Critics Association 2007 winter press tour in Pasadena, California, January 12, 2007. Jim Broadbent and Miranda Richardson have joined Emily Blunt in a Martin Scorsese-produced drama about Queen Victoria.

LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - Jim Broadbent and Miranda Richardson have joined Emily Blunt in a Martin Scorsese-produced drama about Queen Victoria.

"The Young Victoria" focuses on the early turbulent years of her reign, and her romance and marriage to Prince Albert.

Broadbent will play King William IV, whose 1837 death paved the way for his niece Victoria (Blunt) to accede to the throne. Richardson will play Victoria's mother, the Duchess of Kent. Rupert Friend will play Prince Albert.

French-Canadian filmmaker Jean-Marc Vallee will direct from a script by Julian Fellowes, the Oscar-winning writer of "Gosford Park." Production is slated to begin this month on location in Britain. Scorsese is producing with Graham King; they won Oscars, respectively, for directing and producing "The Departed." Sarah Ferguson, the Duchess of York, will receive a producer credit for bringing the project to King.

Broadbent, who won an Oscar in 2002 for his supporting performance in "Iris," is filming the fourth installment of the Indiana Jones franchise. Richardson, who was nominated for Academy Awards for her roles in "Tom & Viv" and "Damage," next will be seen in the Vince Vaughan comedy "Fred Claus."

Reuters/Hollywood Reporter