John Lee Hancock to Script Maleficent Reshoots

October 10, 2013

Still on track for a May 30, 2014 release, director Robert Stromberg’s Maleficent is set to enter a period of reshoots to improve the film’s first act. The Hollywood Reporter today brings word that Walt Disney Pictures has enlisted the aid of The Blind Side writer-director John Lee Hancock to do script work on the new scenes.

Starring Angelina Jolie, Sharlto Copley, Elle Fanning, Sam Riley, Imelda Staunton, Miranda Richardson, Juno Temple and Lesley Manville, Maleficent tells the untold story of Disney?s most iconic villain from the 1959 classic Sleeping Beauty. A beautiful, pure-hearted young woman, Maleficent has an idyllic life growing up in a peaceable forest kingdom, until one day when an invading army threatens the harmony of the land. Maleficent rises to be the land?s fiercest protector, but she ultimately suffers a ruthless betrayal?an act that begins to turn her pure heart to stone. Bent on revenge, Maleficent faces an epic battle with the invading king?s successor and, as a result, places a curse upon his newborn infant Aurora. As the child grows, Maleficent realizes that Aurora holds the key to peace in the kingdom?and perhaps to Maleficent?s true happiness as well.

Hancock is also the director of Disney’s upcoming Saving Mr. Banks, which hits theaters December 13. He’s also previously flexed his fantasy writing skills, providing the screenplay to last year’s Snow White and the Huntsman.

(Photo Credit: WENN.com)