"Maleficent" sequel in the works, with Angelina Jolie expected to return

PanARMENIAN.Net - Disney is moving forward with a sequel to its live-action "Maleficent". As AceShowbiz reports citing Deadline, the studio has already tapped Linda Woolverton, who scripted the first film, to write the script for the follow-up movie while hoping for its leading actress Angelina Jolie to return to the sequel.

There is no deal in place yet for Jolie to reprise the titular character, but it seems to be a priority for the studio to bring back Jolie to the sequel before it can really go forward. It is a little bit hard to predict whether Jolie will be back into costume or not since she had refused to star in two potential sequels to "Salt" and "Wanted (2008)". However, Jolie did do a second "Tomb Raider" film, and has taken part in "Kung Fu Panda" sequels as a voice actor.

Meanwhile, Joe Roth returns to the film as producer. As for director Robert Stromberg, it is still unclear if he will be back to helm the sequel to "Maleficent" or not. It is not surprising if the studio works hard for the second installment of "Maleficent". The movie can be considered as a big-budget movie which spent $180 million, but it's also a successful movie as it grossed nearly $760 million worldwide.

Disney has other live-action projects on its plate, including "Dumbo", "Jungle Book: Origins", "Beauty and the Beast (2017)" and "Pan".