Trademark Films and The Weinstein Company have started the seven-week shoot for My Week with Marilyn at Pinewood Studios and on location in and around London.

Michelle Williams plays Marilyn Monroe (she is pictured in character here) and the cast also features Eddie Redmayne, Kenneth Branagh, Judi Dench, Dominic Cooper, Emma Watson, Julia Ormond, Dougray Scott, and Toby Jones.

The film follows a young film assistant, Colin Clark, on 1956’s The Prince And The Showgirl who befriends Monroe and shows her his side of England. Redmayne plays Clark and Branagh plays Monroe’s co-star in The Prince And The Showgirl, Laurence Olivier.

Simon Curtis (Cranford, Five Days) directs and David Parfitt produces. The film, based on Colin Clark’s diaries, has been adapted by Adrian Hodges.

In addition to The Weinstein Company’s financing, BBC Films and Lipsync Productions are also financing the film. The UK Film Council and BBC Films were on board at the development stage

Parfitt said: “We are delighted to be re-establishing our successful partnership with the incomparable, irrepressible Harvey Weinstein. We have a superb cast and crew thanks in no small part to the support of The Weinstein Company and our incredible development partners: UK Film Council and BBC Films.”

Harvey Weinstein added: “We are truly thrilled to be working with the immensely talented Simon Curtis on his feature debut, with our trusted partners and good friends producer David Parfitt, Christine Langan and BBC Films, from a remarkable true story, beautifully realised script, stellar cast and top-notch crew, we couldn’t be happier embarking on this production.”

And finally, Christine Langan, Creative Director of BBC Films, said: “With his illustrious background in BBC drama, we are proud to be supporting Simon Curtis in his movie debut. The brilliant host of talent that Simon, along with Oscar winning producer David Parfitt, has brought together to tell this gem of a British story is truly exciting and we are privileged to be going on this journey with the magnificent Harvey Weinstein.”