A-list star unrecognisable as she transforms to an Egyptian pharaoh for new film

The well-known actress looked utterly unrecognisable in a scene from her latest film, which premiered recently at the Venice Film Festival.

Lily James in Finally Dawn. Picture: Rai Cinema

An A-list star looked unrecognisable after being transformed into an Egyptian pharaoh for a new movie role.

Downton Abbey actress Lily James, 34, looked very different in the royal costume for drama called Finally Dawn, reports The Sun.

In the movie, which is set in 1950s Rome, she plays Hollywood star Josephine Esperanto.

Lily takes on the persona of a Liz Taylor diva-style character, claiming a young starstruck girl as her new best friend in Italian writer Saverio Constanzo’s tale.

Lily James in Finally Dawn. Picture: Rai Cinema

The talented actress – who played Lady Rose Aldridge in period drama Downton Abbey – once again stepped back in time with another regal transformation.

In photos from the movie, she is seen wearing traditional Egyptian headwear, known as nemes, which were worn by Pharaohs in Ancient Egypt and considered a symbol of royalty.

Her character also sported a red robe with the pleated material draped over her shoulders and multiple colourful beads layered on her neck.

She wore heavy make-up to outline the eyes with a dramatic black line and added a rouge lip for her dramatic appearance.

Set in 1950s Rome, the film follows a long, intense night in an aspiring actress’ career.

The film is set in the 1950s. Picture: Rai Cinema

Finally Dawn premiered at the 80th Venice International Film Festival last week, where it was selected to compete for the Golden Lion.

The actress also recently starred as Pamela Anderson in Pam & Tommy. Picture: Amy Sussman/Getty Images)

Lily recently admitted she was left seriously distracted by a co-star Zac Efron’s incredible body for his role in Pam & Tommy.

The actress, who plays Pamela Atkinson, revealed that her co-star bulked up so much she struggled to concentrate.

Zac, 35, plays ‘60s wrestler Kevin Von Erich in Iron Claw.

He was transformed with huge muscles, a perfect six-pack and a bowl haircut for the role in the 2023 movie.

Meanwhile, Lily has had her own love issues — The Sun revealed in February she’d split from rocker boyfriend Michael Shuman.

The Hollywood star was first linked to the Queens of the Stone Age musician, 37, when they were pictured kissing outside a boutique hotel on Valentine’s Day in 2021.

And they went on to spark rumours last summer when she was spotted wearing a gold ring on her engagement finger while at the Glastonbury Festival, in Somerset.

But sources told how the pair have now gone their separate ways.

One said: “Lily and Michael have grown apart in recent months and have now decided to end their relationship.

“They just couldn’t make it work as a couple, but they both wish each other the best for the future.”

This article originally appeared in The Sun and was reproduced with permission.

Originally published as A-list star unrecognisable as she transforms to an Egyptian pharaoh for new film