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

Burton To Visit The Addams'

With Alice in Wonderland fast becoming the highest grossing film of the year, and of Tim Burton’s career to date, it may be unsurprising that his latest project sees him in familiar territory, with a 3D animated stop-motion project centred on The Addam’s Family.

According to Deadline Hollywood, Burton will source inspiration from the Charles Addam’s original illustrations first seen in the New York Post, that have been purchased by Universal’s Illumination Entertainment.

Characteristically, Addam’s original incarnation of the delightfully ghastly Addam’s family, are at first glance, distinctly suited to the style that Burton has made his own in previous animated features The Nightmare Before Christmas and Corpse Bride.

Indeed, it is a staple of Burton’s back catalogue to seek light in dark and life in death. It is this fascination with all things abnormal, that on paper, this project offers Burton the perfect scope to deliver more of the same.

The project is set to be an independent imagining of the world of Addam’s, with Burton delving into the litany of the original illustrations. Previous incarnations of the ghoulish family have included the camp 60’s television series, and two Barry Sonnenfield directed comedies from the 90’s, starring Raul Julia and Angelica Huston. 

There is no writer yet attached, so this project is definitely one for the future. However, with Burton set to provide much of the visual look himself, his exhibit currently on display at a MOMA, may hint at a possible feel that he may adopt.

Undoubtedly, a ‘Burtonesque’ imagining of the immortalised family appears to be a perfect twisted match. However, It does raise a question, After Charlie and The Chocolate Factory, Sweeney Todd and Alice In Wonderland, is Burton overdoing the re-imagining route? After all his collection of short illustrated story poems in The Melancholy Death of Oyster Boy, carry the potential for an entire casting of weird and wonderful new worlds. Surely, it is time Burton should resist his recent muse, and bring new focus to new ideas. 

MATT RICHARDSON