Jolie set to star in Maleficant

Angelina Jolie has been confirmed to star in a new film about the fairytale character Maleficent, better known as the evil nemesis in the fairytale classic, Sleeping Beauty.

In case you’re a bit rusty on your fairytales, Jolie’s Maleficent is the evil fairy who puts a sleep curse on Princess Aurora, which can only be broken by true love’s first kiss. While the classic Disney tale was told from the doomed Princess’ perspective, Maleficent will be told from Jolie’s antagonist’s angle.

In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Jolie commented that the project is “not anti-princess, but it’s the first time they’re looking at this epic woman… I’m having a lot of fun. I’ve already got my horns fitted. My kids are very happy.”

The script will be penned by Linda Woolverton (whose credits include Disney classics, Beauty and the Beast, The Lion King), produced by Joe Roth (Knight and Day, Snow White and the Huntsman) and directed by Robert Stromberg, who won art direction Oscars for Avatar and Alice in Wonderland. Stromberg will make his directorial debut.

With the recent release of other live-action fairytale retellings, like Snow White (Mirror Mirror and Snow White and the Huntsman) there seems to be a strong market for films like Maleficent. While the film is only set for release in two years time, it is likely that casting might go through several changes.

Nevertheless, this week it was confirmed that rising star, Shalto Copley is in negotiations to play the male lead, Stefan and younger sister to child star Dakota Fanning, Ellle Fanning is almost certainly confirmed for the role of Princess Aurora. Juno Temple, Imelda Staunton and Lesley Manville have also been cast, taking on the roles of the three fairies assigned to protect Princess Aurora and Miranda Richardson will play Queen Ula, Princess Aurora’s mother.

The film is set for release on 14 March 2014

Sources: eonline and comingsoon.net