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MALEFICENT Behind-The-Scenes Featurette With Angelina Jolie
This year, 2014, marks the 55th Anniversary of the character who put a spell on young “Sleeping Beauty” in the animated feature released by Disney in 1959.
Since her introduction, Maleficent has been Disney’s all-‐time most popular villain. Now she returns in this live – action version of the classic story – and there’s a lot about her we never knew. “I loved Maleficent when I was a little girl,” says Angelina Jolie. “She was my favorite Disney character. I was afraid of her and I loved her.”
“It was important to me as a director to retain enough of the elements of ‘Sleeping Beauty’ so that people who are fans of the original won’t be disappointed when they see this,” explains director Robert Stromberg. “I felt it was important that people not only see this classic character realized in a new light but also see the genesis of some of those story elements that they remember from the original film.”
Maleficent has a constant companion who was seen only as a raven in the animated original but who this Maleficent transforms into a man when it suits her—or a horse or a dragon or a wolf. In any form, the character Diaval, played by Sam Riley, is Maleficent’s loyal companion. During the 16 years that they’re together watching Aurora grow, he develops a fondness for Maleficent.
“My character is essentially a raven but he’s quite a proud raven—bordering on vain,” says Riley. “He’s saved by Maleficent from a farmer and his dogs and he becomes her loyal ally who can fly to places and spy for her. Their relationship blooms and Diaval develops an affection for her. He’s the only character who’s capable of telling her when she becomes a little overwrought and who really knows what she’s thinking.”
Also, starting today, fans can enter for a chance to win a trip to the world premiere of the film in the Maleficent “Embrace Your Inner Evil” Sweepstakes. Fans can enter by recreating Maleficent’s laugh and posting the video to Instagram using #MaleficentLaughSweeps.
Official Rules: http://di.sn/MaleficentLaugh
MALEFICENT explores the untold story of Disney’s most iconic villain from the classic “Sleeping Beauty” and the elements of her betrayal that ultimately turn her pure heart to stone. Driven by revenge and a fierce desire to protect the moors over which she presides, Maleficent cruelly places an irrevocable curse upon the human king’s newborn infant Aurora.
As the child grows, Aurora is caught in the middle of the seething conflict between the forest kingdom she has grown to love and the human kingdom that holds her legacy. Maleficent realizes that Aurora may hold the key to peace in the land and is forced to take drastic actions that will change both worlds forever.
The film stars Angelina Jolie as Maleficent, Sharlto Copley, Elle Fanning, Sam Riley, Imelda Staunton, Juno Temple and Lesley Manville.
MALEFICENT is produced by Joe Roth and directed by Robert Stromberg, with Angelina Jolie, Michael Vieira, Don Hahn, Palak Patel, Matt Smith and Sarah Bradshaw serving as executive producers. Linda Woolverton wrote the screenplay.
MALEFICENT opens in U.S. theaters on May 30, 2014.
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