Maleficent
Don't believe the fairy tale.
Country
Production
Budget
$180 000 000
Box office
$758 410 378
Director
Robert Stromberg
Actors
Scenario
Producer
Camera operator
Composer
Artist
Dylan Cole, Gary Freeman, Stewart Alves
Audition
Editing
Short description
A beautiful, pure-hearted young woman, Maleficent has an idyllic life growing up in a peaceable forest kingdom, until one day when an invading army threatens the harmony of the land. She rises to be the land's fiercest protector, but she ultimately suffers a ruthless betrayal – an act that begins to turn her heart into stone. Bent on revenge, Maleficent faces an epic battle with the invading King's successor and, as a result, places a curse upon his newborn infant Aurora. As the child grows, Maleficent realizes that Aurora holds the key to peace in the kingdom – and to Maleficent's true happiness as well.
What's left behind the scenes
- One of the filming locations was an ancient castle – an exact replica, both inside and out, of the majestic structure that Disney animators drew in 1959. The castle floor was laid with marble. The original animated film combined several architectural styles in the castle. The creators of “Maleficent” (2014) could not afford this, because a modern audience would not believe in the existence of a castle combining Victorian, Gothic, and Romanesque architectural styles. They had to choose one style and stick to it. This was also a hybrid, but much more logical: a kind of Prague style with clear Romanesque lines. Suspended supports were also devised, connecting all the rooms of the castle and becoming a kind of connecting link.
- Vivienne Jolie-Pitt, the daughter of Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt, played the role of the young Princess Aurora.
- Angelina Jolie admitted that in makeup and costume, she looked so intimidating that she genuinely frightened children on set. One child even said, "Mom, please ask that evil witch not to talk to me." Only Jolie's daughter, Vivienne Jolie-Pitt, who plays the little Princess Aurora, was not scared.
- The cinematographer for 'Maleficent' was Dean Semler, who also shot Angelina Jolie's directorial debut 'In the Land of Blood and Honey' (2011).
- Jude Law was considered for the role of King Stefan.
- The film marks Robert Stromberg's directorial debut.
- The prosthetic makeup team was led by seven-time Oscar winner Rick Baker. Several specialists worked exclusively on Maleficent's prosthetic horns and ears. Other makeup artists spent several hours every morning applying makeup to the other characters.
- Emma Thompson and Judi Dench were considered for the roles of the fairies.
- According to producer Joe Roth, they would not have made the film if Angelina Jolie had refused to play the main role.
- For 400 years, the tale of Sleeping Beauty has been paraphrased under various titles approximately 1000 times, if including some medieval beliefs. The evolution of the character is easily traceable. Her features are discernible both in the French prose chivalric romance by an unknown author, “Perceforest” (1527), and in the tale by the Italian writer Giambattista Basile, titled “Sun, Moon, and Talia,” which was included in the collection “Pentamerone” (Tales of Tales). The chapters of this collection became the first printed fairy tales. In 1697, Charles Perrault offered his version of the story in his book “Tales of Mother Goose” – it was called “The Sleeping Beauty in the Wood.” In 1812, Wilhelm and Jacob Grimm significantly reworked Perrault’s plot. The story of the beautiful princess, a victim of evil spells, was called “Little Briar Rose.” It is now more difficult to determine why Maleficent began to become the embodiment of absolute female evil. In Basile’s tale, the queen is described as an envious and vengeful villain, but she was married to the King, not an outsider sorceress who cast a curse on the entire royal lineage. Perrault transformed the villain into an evil witch; this version is closest to the plot of the classic Disney film. In addition, Perrault introduced the Handsome Prince to readers. The new hero became an important, perhaps even integral, element of the fairy tale – because only his kiss could break the evil spell on Sleeping Beauty.
- The film is Robert Stromberg's directorial debut.
- Shortly before Richard D. Zanuck's death, he was offered the role of producer for this film.
- Tim Burton was originally intended to direct the film.
- This is the first Disney film for many actors, including Angelina Jolie, Imelda Staunton, Charlto Copley, Brenton Thwaites, Juno Temple, and Elle Fanning.
- Over the course of 400 years, the tale of Sleeping Beauty has been paraphrased under various titles about 1,000 times, including certain medieval beliefs. The evolution of the character is easy to trace. Her traits can be found both in the 1527 French prose chivalric romance 'Perceforest' by an unknown author, and in the tale 'The Sun, the Moon, and Talia' by Italian writer Giambattista Basile, which was part of the collection 'Tales Told by Tales' ('Pentamerone'). The chapters of this collection became the first printed fairy tales. In 1697, Charles Perrault offered his own version of the story in his book 'Tales of Mother Goose'—it was titled 'The Sleeping Beauty in the Wood'. In 1812, brothers Wilhelm and Jacob Grimm significantly reworked Perrault's plot. The story of the beautiful princess who fell victim to evil spells was called 'Little Briar Rose'. It is more difficult now to determine exactly why Maleficent began to become the embodiment of the female incarnation of absolute evil. In Basile's tale, the queen is described as a jealous and vindictive villainess, but she was married to the King, rather than being an outside sorceress who cast a curse upon the entire royal lineage. Perrault turned the villainess into an evil witch; this version is closest to the plot of the classic Disney film. Furthermore, Perrault introduced the readers of the tale to the Handsome Prince. This new character became a significant, and perhaps indispensable, element of the fairy tale—after all, only his kiss could break the evil spell on Sleeping Beauty.
- Miranda Richardson was initially cast as Queen Ulla, but it was eventually decided to cut her character from the script.
- The prosthetic makeup team was led by seven-time Academy Award winner Rick Baker. Several specialists worked exclusively on Maleficent’s prosthetic horns and ears. Other makeup artists spent several hours each morning applying makeup to the remaining characters.
- Angelina Jolie said she grew up on Disney cartoons and particularly liked "Sleeping Beauty" (1959). She also said that the character of Maleficent always terrified her, but still fascinated her.
- Patrick Stewart was considered for a role in this film.
- According to producer Joe Roth, they would not have made the film if Angelina Jolie had refused to play the lead role.
- Shortly before Richard D. Zanuck's death, he was offered the opportunity to produce this film.
- On May 12, 2009, information appeared that Brad Bird was working on a project based on Walt Disney's animated film 'Sleeping Beauty' (1959), the story of which would be retold from Maleficent's perspective with Angelina Jolie in the role of Maleficent herself. In January 2010, information emerged that Tim Burton might direct the project. In May 2011, it became known that Burton had left the project. Disney began searching for a replacement, with David Yates as a potential candidate. On January 6, 2012, Disney officially announced that Robert Stromberg would be the project's director.
- Angelina Jolie worked with costume designers and makeup artists to create a fearsome look for Maleficent. Studio executives at Disney objected, hoping to capitalize on Jolie's beauty for marketing purposes, but the actress insisted that her character retain the frightening features of Maleficent from the 1959 animated film 'Sleeping Beauty'.
- Angelina Jolie shared that she grew up watching Disney cartoons, and particularly loved 'Sleeping Beauty' (1959). She also mentioned that the character of Maleficent always terrified her, yet simultaneously inspired admiration.
- Logan Marshall-Green, George Blagden, Gael García Bernal, and Jim Sturgess were considered for the role that ultimately went to Sam Riley.
- Angelina Jolie admitted that her makeup and costume looked so terrifying that she genuinely frightened the children on set. One child even said, "Mom, please tell that evil witch not to talk to me." Only Jolie's daughter, Vivienne Jolie-Pitt, who plays young Princess Aurora, was not frightened.
- On May 12, 2009, reports emerged that Brad Bird was working on a project based on Walt Disney's animated film 'Sleeping Beauty' (1959), with the story retold from the perspective of Maleficent, starring Angelina Jolie in the title role. In January 2010, it was reported that Tim Burton might direct the project. In May 2011, it was revealed that Burton had left the project. Disney began searching for a replacement, with David Yates as a potential candidate. On January 6, 2012, Disney officially announced that Robert Stromberg would direct the project.
- Dean Semler served as the cinematographer for "Maleficent," having previously filmed Angelina Jolie's directorial debut "In the Land of Blood and Honey" (2011).
- Tim Burton was originally slated to direct the film.
- A total of over 2000 costumes were sewn by hand for the film.
- Filming began on June 11, 2012, at the famous Pinewood Studios in England. Most of the film was shot on the studio's grounds. For five months, the crew "occupied" six soundstages, several square kilometers of exterior locations, and some other production areas.
- Initially, Miranda Richardson was cast as Queen Ulla, but her character was ultimately cut from the script.
- Patrick Stewart could have been cast in this film.
- This is the first Disney film for many of the actors, including Angelina Jolie, Imelda Staunton, Sharlto Copley, Brenton Thwaites, Juno Temple, and Elle Fanning.
- Angelina Jolie worked with costume designers and makeup artists to create Maleficent's formidable look. Disney studio executives objected, hoping to leverage Jolie's beauty for marketing purposes, but the actress insisted that her character maintain the frightening features of Maleficent from the 1959 animated film 'Sleeping Beauty'.
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