In 2014, Disney fans were caught by surprise when “Maleficent†premiered. This alternate telling of the “Sleeping Beauty†story, but with the titular witch as the protagonist was a hit. The fact that Angelina Jolie owned and mastered her role as Maleficent was a bonus. Now the “evil†fairy returns.
Joachim Rønning takes over from Robert Stromberg in directing “Maleficent: Mistress of Evil,†due later this year. It follows up sometime after the first film. Maleficent and Queen Aurora (Elle Fanning) are unofficial co-leaders of the combined kingdom of men and fairy creatures. When diplomacy with a neighboring realm threatens the inhabitants of the Moors, fairy and queen might yet see themselves on opposite sides.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5MwW1NAsnR8
Walt Disney Pictures has already brought out the first trailer. Let’s look over the scenes:
- Voiceover by Queen Ingrith (Michelle Pfeiffer) telling the story between Maleficent and Aurora. Only this time, it’s the traditional “Sleeping Beauty†narrative instead of what actually happened in-film.
- Some human hunters find their way into the Moors. Then they run into Maleficent. Guess what happens.
- Prince Philip (now played by Harris Dickinson) seems to have proposed to Aurora.
- Aurora, Philip and Maleficent engage in diplomacy with Queen Ingrith and King John (Robert Lindsay). A heated exchange between Ingrith and Maleficent leads to trouble.
- Maleficent attacks Ingrith’s soldiers and flees, leaving Aurora aghast. Why did she do that?
- A giant flock of birds fly towards Ingrith’s castle.
- Cue magical red explosions and Maleficent in the midst of them.
- This time, Maleficent laughs as the titles rolls.
“Maleficent: Mistress of Evil†premieres in cinemas on October 18.
