11/13/2013
First Trailer for 'Maleficent' Starring Angelina Jolie and Elle Fanning
Let's not forget that Disney has more than just Marvel and Star Wars to keep a close watch over. There's also the stable of classics that are what built the Mouse House into the force it has been for decades, and in an effort to keep those stories relevant Disney has begun developing live-action big budget versions boasting powerhouse casts. Alice in Wonderland got things started a few years ago, and has a sequel in the works; Cinderella arrives in 2015 followed at some point by Cruella. But first up is Maleficent, which tells the story of Sleeping Beauty through the eyes of Disney's memorable villain.
After a poster emerged yesterday providing a look at Angelina Jolie in the title role, the first trailer has arrived and she seems to be relishing the opportunity to play nasty again. From the sweeping initial frames you can tell this was directed by Robert Stromberg, the Oscar-winning production designer who helped take Alice in Wonderland to over $1B at the box office. Disney is obviously hoping he can pull the same trick here, and with Elle Fanning, Sharlto Copley, Juno Temple, Sam Riley, Imelda Staunton, Miranda Richardson, and Lesley Manville co-starring he'll have a lot of help.
Is Jolie a bit too creepy for the kiddies, though? This might be one where the parents are dragging the kids to see the film rather than the other way around. Maleficent opens on May 30th 2014.