Disney’s first Maleficent film in 2014 made an insane amount of money—some $750 million around the globe—so it was inevitable that a sequel would eventually present itself. Today, Disney confirmed that a Maleficent 2 is indeed starting production, but the most impressive aspect may be the new film’s cast.
In addition to a returning Angelina Jolie as the title character, as well as a returning Elle Fanning as Princess Aurora, the new film will feature Michelle Pfeiffer as one “Queen Ingrith,” along with Chiwetel Ejiofor and Ed Skrein. That’s a pretty impressive amount of starpower, and it’s especially interesting to see a seasoned actress like Pfeiffer in the fold. This announcement comes during something of a career revival for the actress, who will also appear in a major role in Ant-Man and The Wasp in the near future.
Fanning confirmed the casting via Instagram, sharing photos of herself and Jolie, along with images from on set.
Other returning cast members for the film include Imelda Staunton, Sam Riley, Juno Temple and Lesley Manville. The plot is expected to pick up a couple of years after the events of the first film, and will apparently involve “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.”
Maleficent 2 is directed by Joachim Rønning, who helmed Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales, from a script by Linda Woolverton, Micah Fitzerman-Blue and Noah Harpster. Expect to hear more about this movie’s production in the near future.