Disney just announced they have begun production on the sequel to 2014’s Maleficent at Pinewood Studios and on locations throughout the United Kingdom. The original film grossed more than $750 million at the global box office with domestic sales of more than $241 million in 2014.
The film will see Angelina Jolie reprise her role as Maleficent alongside Elle Fanning’s Princess Aurora. The two actresses will be joined by Ant-Man and The Wasp’s Michelle Pfeiffer, who will play Queen Ingrith. Doctor Strange’s Chiwetel Ejiofor will also join the cast alongside Deadpool’s Ed Skrein and Wimbledon’s Robert Lindsay. Harris Dickinson will also join the cast as Prince Phillip.
Fanning unveiled some set photos with Angelina Jolie in her Maleficent costume on Instagram.
Other cast members returning for the sequel include Sam Riley as Diaval, Imelda Staunton as the pixie Knotgrass, Juno Temple as the pixie Thistlewit, and Lesely Manville as the pixie Flittle.
The film will pick up several years after the events of Maleficent. It is expected 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.”
The film will be directed by Joachim Rønning who previously worked on Disney’s Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales. The story will be written by Linda Woolverton and Micah Fitzerman-Blue and Noah Harpster. Woolverton previously worked on Alice in Wonderland as well as Beauty and the Beast. Both Fitzerman-Blue and Harpster worked on Transparent. The movie will be produced by Joe Roth and Angelina Jolie. Roth worked on Alice through the Looking Glass and Oz the Great and Powerful.
The announcement also included a photo of three director’s chairs for Angelina Jolie, Elle Fanning, and Michelle Pfeiffer.
No update was given for when Maleficent II is expected to come to theaters.