Angelina Jolie as “MALEFICENT” First Look

By Kenda - June, 21st 2012

My mother always said I had a dark side. Even as a young girl I found myself rooting for the bad guys (more specifically the bad girls). Disney was a vast resource for my cheers with beautiful, evil queens lurking around every corner. The pretty princesses singing to the forest animals never appealed to me. The dark, powerful queens – now there was my cup of tea. To this day if anyone asks me “Kenda, who is your favorite Disney villain?” (because it’s more common a question than you’d first think) – I don’t spare a moment with my reply, “Maleficent”. The robe, the cheekbones, the horns. I didn’t care about the fact that she was a power crazed killer. I thought she was beautiful. As an adult I can see how that was a little odd for a child to think, but I never claimed to be normal.

Now, thanks to the resurgence of childhood classics in Hollywood, I’ll finally get to see her in the flesh…or as ‘fleshy’ as she can be when played by Angelina Jolie on a 40 foot screen. Wait…it’s also 3D? Don’t bother picking me up; I’ll just live at the theater.

“Maleficent” takes a different view on the 1959 classic “Sleeping Beauty.” and tells the story from the villain, Maleficent’s, perspective. The film reveals the events that took place which hardened her heart and drove her to curse the baby, Aurora. Even though I’m not a huge fan of Ms. Jolie’s previous films – this movie definitely has my attention and I can’t deny that she seems perfectly suited to the role. I’ve often wondered about movie villains – why are they evil? Who were they before? What things were done that created such a black soul? Reminiscent of “Wicked” which told the story of the Wicked Witch of the East in the Wizard of Oz (another favorite of mine), I’m eager to see what secrets this queen of wrong-doing will share with us.

About the Movie

Directed by two-time Oscar®-winning production designer Robert Stromberg (“Avatar,” “Alice in Wonderland”), in his directorial debut, and produced by Joe Roth, “Maleficent” is written by Linda Woolverton (“The Lion King,” “Beauty and the Beast”) and executive produced by Angelina Jolie, Don Hahn, Matt Smith and Palak Patel.

Co-starring in the film are Sharlto Copley (“District 9”), Elle Fanning (“Super 8”), Sam Riley (“On the Road”), Imelda Staunton (“Vera Drake”), Miranda Richardson (“The Hours”), Juno Temple (“Atonement”) and Lesley Manville (“Secrets & Lies”).

Behind-the-scenes talent includes seven-time Academy Award–winning makeup artist Rick Baker (“Planet of the Apes,” “Men in Black”).

“Maleficent” is scheduled for a March 14, 2014 release in 3D. Learn More

What do YOU think Maleficent is hiding?
Who do you think she was …before?