Retelling classic fairy tales is the new thing, apparently. Two Snow White remakes have already been released this year, including the recent Snow White and the Huntsman, starring Charlize Theron as the evil queen. Now Disney has announced that production has begun on the Sleeping Beauty update Maleficent, starring Angelina Jolie.
The directorial debut of Oscar-winning production designer Robert Stromberg (Avatar, Alice In Wonderland), the film posits Jolie as Maleficent, the wicked witch from 1959’s Sleeping Beauty. The story offers a sympathetic take on the anti-heroine’s story, specifically “the events that hardened her heart and drove her to curse the baby Aurora.”
The film co-stars Sharlto Copley (District 9), Elle Fanning (Super 8), Sam Riley (On the Road), Imelda Staunton (Vera Drake), Miranda Richardson (The Hours), Juno Temple (Atonement) and Lesley Manville (Secrets and Lies). Disney also offered a first glimpse of Jolie in the role (see image, above). Maleficent is scheduled for release on March 14, 2014, in 3D.
tdunlevy@montrealgazette.com
Twitter: @tchadunlevy
