Maleficent Finds Its Queen?

We reported last week that Disney were pushing ahead with Alice in Wonderland scribe Linda Woolverton to manifest ‘Maleficent’; the retelling of Sleeping Beauty from the perspective of the titular evil queen. Now rumours stemming from the LA Times place Angelina Jolie as the main contender for the starring lead.

Tim Burton is still currently linked to the project, yet he has remained allusive to signing onto any deals post Alice, with Maleficient one of many possibles.

Nothing is concrete for the moment, but Jolie is reportedly actively following its development. However, It is understood that Jolie [currently to be seen alongside Johnny Depp in the  ‘The Tourist’] may only sign on with the condition that Burton himself is involved as director.

Jolie’s move to Disney would certainly raise eyebrows, if not of only the dad’s taking their young ones to the theatre, certainly the mothers who suddenly want to know why they are not in their customary leaned back, feet up position watching the world go by on a Sunday afternoon. 

Yet, the move would be a benefit for Disney as it would be snaring a 'movie star' very much at the top of the list and at the top of her game. And for Jolie it could potentially bring a more rounded audience view of the star, who is seen more of a dark temptress of Hollywood, rather than an actress.

With the script only just kicking into development, it is safe to say the project is one for the future; so a commitment by Burton could coincide with him working on Dark Shadows or The Addams Family that he is currently circling first.

Tim Burton Circling Maleficent? Woolverton Signed To Adapt.

With Alice in Wonderland continuing to dominate UK and US box office, Heat Vision Blog have reported that Disney have united screenwriter Linda Woolverton to craft  ‘Maleficent’; a new take on the animated classic Sleeping Beauty revolving around the ‘mistress of all evil’ herself.

‘Maleficent’ could mark the reunion of Alice  collaborator's Woolverton and director Tim Burton; it’s one of many rumoured projects being considered by the film-maker, who has also been linked to a new Addam’s Family re-imagining in the last week. However, Burton is not officially attached to either project.

The intrigue of the feature is how Woolverton will approach a story centring on Maleficent. In Sleeping Beauty, she curses an infant princess at birth, why you ask?, Because she was not invited to her christening. Harsh. But that's not all; she commands a legion of evil dominions, has the ability to strike down her opponents with lightening and morph’s into a dragon to attempt to burn prince's to cinders.
I doubt she'll win a noble peace prize for being loveable that's for sure, and just how can you turn that into something fit for a Disney friendly audience? 

Still, the screenwriter’s stock is high, inspired by the Lewis Carroll classics Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, and Through the Looking Glass Woolverton crafted a successful original story that continues to exceed box office expectation after admittedly mixed reviews.  

The project certainly continues the steps taken by Disney with the recent release: The Princess and the Frog, which unravelled certain staples of a Disney classic to diversify their image. So goodbye to loveable but lazy prince's who have it all, and darling belle's of the ball who get what they wish upon a star. Disney has ripped up their own rule book. Now is the time for new beginnings, and the direction Maleficent is on course for is certainly one to keep watch of.

MATT RICHARDSON