Maleficent 2filming is now underway, as Disney has announced that production has begun in the U.K. on the fantasy sequel. The follow-up findsPirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Talesco-directorJoachim Rønningstepping into the director’s chair afterRobert Stromberghelmed the 2014 film.Angelina JolieandElle Fanningreprise their roles as Maleficent and Aurora, respectively, and the story picks up several years after the events of the initial movie as it chronicles the relationship between the horned fairy and the soon-to-be Queen as they struggle to protect the moors.
The official synopsis forMaleficent 2is as follows:
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.
Officially titledMaleficent II, the cast also includesMichelle Pfeifferas Queen Ingrith andHarris Dickinsonas Prince Philip, withChitwetel Ejiofor,Ed Skrein, andRobert Lindsayfilling out the new additions. Reprising their roles from the firstMaleficentareSam Riley,Imelda Staunton,Juno Temple, andLesley Manville. ScreenwriterLinda Woolvertonreturned to pen the screenplay forMaleficent 2, but the script is also credited toMicah Fitzerman-BlueandNoah Harpster(Transparent) who apparently did further work on the screenplay.
Maleficentcame on the heels of Disney’s 2010 mega-hitAlice in Wonderlandas the studio dipped its toe into the waters of revisiting their animated classics catalogue. This film in particular aimed to put a twist onSleeping Beautyby telling an origin story from the antagonist’s point of view, and it was a success at the box office to the tune of $758 million worldwide.
While Disney found even greater success with subsequent adaptations likeThe Jungle BookandBeauty and the Beast, the studio had a standing offer for Jolie to return and continue theMaleficentfranchise. It appears she bit, and now we’ll see how this story progresses.
Maleficent IIdoesn’t yet have a release date.
