Maleficent, starring Academy Award®–winning actress Angelina Jolie began production on June 13, according to an announcement from Walt Disney Studios. Helming the production is two-time Oscar®-winning production designer Robert Stromberg (Avatar, Alice in Wonderland). Maleficent will be Stromberg’s directorial debut. Joe Roth is producing alongside executive producers Angelina Jolie, Don Hahn, Matt Smith and Palak Patel. Maleficent is written by Linda Woolverton (The Lion King, Beauty and the Beast).
This is the untold story of Disney’s most beloved villain, Maleficent, from the 1959 classic “Sleeping Beauty.” The film reveals the events that hardened her heart and drove her to curse the baby, Aurora.
Co-stars include Sharlto Copley, Elle Fanning, Sam Riley, Imelda Staunton, Miranda Richardson, Juno Temple and Lesley Manville.
Maleficent is scheduled for a March 14, 2014 release in 3D.