Angelina Jolie Set To Return For Maleficent 2

Los Angeles: Disney reported that Angelina Jolie will return to the role in Maleficent 2, although the release date has not been set. Screenwriter Linda Woolverton, who penned the script the first Maleficent will be back to write the sequel.

Maleficent 2 joins a slate of forthcoming Disney live-action sequels and remakes that draw on the studio’s animated back catalogue. Screenwriter Linda Woolverton, who worked on the first film, will return for the follow-up.

Maleficent grossed $758m at the global box office, but received middling reviews. Disney released no further details about the Maleficent sequel in its announcement on Monday. The original film, directed by Robert Stromberg, fleshed out the tragic back-story of the character that was introduced in the studio’s 1959 animated musical Sleeping Beauty.

Disney also confirmed that it has cast Emma Stone to play the Disney villain Cruella de Vil in an origins story about the hound-hating star of the 101 Dalmatians movies titled Cruella. The studio is also producing new versions of Tinker Bell (with Reese Witherspoon), Dumbo (with Tim Burton directing) and Mary Poppins (with Emily Blunt). A sequel to current hit Jungle Book will also proceed with original director Jon Favreau set to return.

The 2014 film, directed by Robert Stromberg was loosely based on Charles Perrault’s original fairy tale and inspired by Walt Disney’s 1959 animated film, Sleeping Beauty. It portrayed the story from the perspective of the eponymous antagonist, depicting her conflicted relationship with the princess and the king of a corrupt kingdom. It starred Elle Fanning in the role of Princess Aurora, the Sleeping Beauty and Angelina Jolie (Isobelle Molloy as the younger version) as Maleficient.