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Once upon a time, the movie Ever After: A Cinderella Story<\/em> hit theaters in 1998 \u2014 and the film\u2019s star-studded cast has been up to a lot since their time in fairy tale<\/a> France.<\/p>\n Directed by Andy Tennant<\/strong>, Drew Barrymore<\/strong><\/a> starred as the movie\u2019s leading lady, Danielle, who much like the character she inspires, Cinderella<\/a>, lives with her evil stepmother, Rodmilla (Anjelica Huston<\/strong><\/a>) and stepsisters Marguerite (Megan Dodds<\/strong>) and Jacqueline (Melanie Lynskey<\/strong><\/a>), in 16th century France. Plus, the story swaps out the traditional fairy godmother for the historical figure Leonardo da Vinci (Patrick Godfrey<\/strong>).<\/p>\n Unlike the Grimm Brothers\u2019 fictional heroine, Danielle proves she\u2019s no damsel in distress, despite falling in love with Prince Henry, played by Dougray Scott<\/strong>. Not only does she rescue her fellow servants and challenge the prince\u2019s principles, but she also knocks him off a horse by throwing an apple and saves him from bandits by carrying him on her back.<\/p>\n But like all Cinderella stories<\/a>, Danielle loses a shoe after fleeing from Prince Henry\u2019s masquerade ball, only hers is not made of glass and her departure comes after Rodmilla reveals her true identity to the prince and everyone at the party. A few apologies on the prince\u2019s part later, and Danielle gets her happily ever after with her man, as well as some well-deserved retribution against her stepmother and Marguerite.<\/p>\n The Charlie\u2019s Angels<\/em><\/a> actress reunited with Scott, Dodds and Lynskey \u2014 in some of their iconic costumes \u2014 to celebrate Ever After<\/em>\u2019s 25th anniversary on a March 2023 episode of The Drew Barrymore Show<\/em><\/a>. Appearing via video call, Scott called the film \u201cahead of its time\u201d<\/a> while praising its inspirational message.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s a movie about empowerment and giving all these young women around the world who are gonna watch the movie a great example of how young women don\u2019t have to look up to men in order to be led and to be set an example of, and they have the ability to take control of their own lives,\u201d the Batwoman<\/em><\/a> alum told Barrymore while appearing via video chat. \u201cAnd I think that your character really was such a wonderful example of that, and I thought it was a thoroughly modern film, and I was just really happy to be part of it.\u201d<\/p>\n Barrymore shared a similar sentiment, noting how prior to Ever After<\/em>, she and others \u201cnever thought twice<\/a> about what we were telling little girls, to wait for the prince to rescue them,\u201d to which Scott added, \u201cUntil you rescued me.\u201d<\/p>\n The movie is one Barrymore went on to state \u201cchanged my life forever,\u201d<\/a> adding, \u201cYou know, when you have those very clear times in your life \u2014 incidences, situations, circumstances \u2014 that you know your life went in a better direction for and from, and this is that for me. There\u2019s no question. I know it, and we got to all do it together.\u201d<\/p>\n