This is magnificent!
Disney has officially begun filming Maleficent II, once again starring Angelina Jolie as the evil fairy and Elle Fanning as Princess Aurora. Unlike the classic 1959 Sleeping Beauty, Maleficent paints the villain in a far more sympathetic light, portraying her as a victim of circumstance who was turned evil after suffering a horrific betrayal from her childhood sweetheart King Stefan, played by Sharlto Copley.
Since King Stefan died at the end of Maleficent, he will not be reprising his role in the followup to the 2014 flick. Jolie and Fanning are both back and are joined by big name actors like Michelle Pfeffier as Queen Ingrith, who is a new addition to the story. Also joining the Maleficent ensemble is Doctor Strange veteran Chiwetel Ejiofor as a character whose name remains under-wraps ? at the moment. Sam Riley will reprise his role as Diaval, as well as Imelda Staunton, Lesley Manville, and Juno Temple as the pixies Knotgrass, Flittle, and Thistlwit.