Maleficent
status - (2013) ODA, pre-production (development 5/19/11, 5/26), last 6/16
The Walt Disney Studios
Director -
Writer - Linda Woolverton
Producers - Don Hahn, Richard D. Zanuck
- A spurt of recent activity hints that it is being fast-tracked by Disney and filming could conceivably start later this year if they can land the director they want. Guillermo del Toro has indicated that he wants the job and his credentials should pass muster with Angelina but he has Pacific Rim scheduled to start filming in November and Warners has already set a release date. Both films will require plenty of CGI that will entail a lengthy post and both are targeting a 2013 release. The other two names mentioned are also booked with David O. Russell's The Silver Linings Playbook filming in Sept. and Darren Aronofsky's Noah close to being picked up by Universal.
George Lucas? J.J Abrams?
At this point, I think it may be easier for Unforgiven to land a director since it's a straight forward drama. I actually don't see any urgency to bring Maleficent to production. Unlike Salt 2, Angelina's age is not a critical element. The market place will soon see an onslaught of fairy tale re-imaginings with two Snow Whites and Wizards of Oz battling next year and it is probably better to give the film some breathing space and go later with the best possible crew on board.
