Those cheekbones could cut glass.
The first Maleficent movie was a surprise smash, long-promised sequel to a story that, honestly, kind of felt over already.
Disney announced today that Maleficent II (yes, stylised as Roman numerals) is in production, with Angelina Jolie and Elle Fanning set to reprise their roles as Maleficent and Princess Aurora, respectively, along with Sam Riley, Imelda Staunton, Juno Temple, and Lesley Manville. Joining them this time around are Michelle Pfeiffer as Queen Ingrith, a (presumably) new role created for the film, Harris Dickinson as Prince Phillip (played by Brenton Thwaites in the first film), and Chiwetel Ejiofor, Ed Skrein, and Robert Lindsay in unspecified roles.
Fanning celebrated the news by sharing a behind-the-scenes glance at her and her adoptive fairy “mum.”
Now, I wonder if you’re thinking what I’m thinking: Seriously, what more is there to say? Maleficent got its happily ever after, with Maleficent’s fairy wings restored and a peaceful accord established between the human and magical kingdoms. Well, I’m guessing that’s where Pfeiffer comes in.
According to the plot description, the film takes places several years after the 2014 film, and has Maleficent and Aurora teaming up against outside threats.
A fantasy adventure that picks up several years after Maleficent, in which audiences learned of the events that hardened the heart of Disney’s most notorious villain and drove her to curse a baby Princess Aurora, Maleficent II continues to explore the complex relationship between the horned fairy and the soon to be Queen, as they form new alliances and face new adversaries in their struggle to protect the moors and the magical creatures that reside within.
In addition to Maleficent II, Disney has several other live-action remakes in varying states of production. There’s Christopher Robin, a live-action adaptation of Winnie the Pooh that involves Christopher Robin as an adult; it’s set for release this August. Then there’s Dumbo, Aladdin, The Lion King, and Mulan, which are all in currently being worked on. Other possible remakes include The Sword in the Stone, Peter Pan, a Prince Charming film, Snow White, Pinocchio, Lady and the Tramp, Little Mermaid, a Jungle Book sequel, and a villain story about Cruella De Vil starring Emma Stone. In short, get ready for lots of these, folks.
Maleficent II, directed by Joachim Rønning and written by Linda Woolverton, Micah Fitzerman-Blue, and Noah Harpster, does not have a release date as of yet.