Chiwetel Ejiofor, star of Doctor Strange and 12 Years a Slave, is reportedly circling a key role in Disney’s Maleficent 2.
Word comes to us by way of That Hashtag Show, where it’s claimed that Ejiofor has come into contention for the sequel’s “romantic foil,” one who is supposedly bewitched by Angelina Jolie’s titular dark fairy. Further details weren’t disclosed at the time of writing, but should a deal place, Chiwetel Ejiofor would be the latest headline-worthy addition to the Disney blockbuster.
Earlier today, for instance, we brought you the news that Harris Dickinson (Trust) had signed on to play the prince – presumably at the expense of Brenton Thwaites, who is now fully committed to the live-action Titans series brewing over at Warner Bros. and its newly-unveiled DC Universe.
Circling back to Maleficent 2, though, we know Angelina Jolie and Elle Fanning are both expected to return for more fantasy-fuelled hijinks, with newcomer Ed Skrein (Deadpool) attached to one of the sequel’s villains.
Michelle Pfeiffer of Ant-Man and the Wasp, meanwhile, is said to be negotiating for the role of Dickinson’s mother, the queen, though Disney is yet to release any official statement regarding Pfeiffer’s involvement – or lack thereof.
And that’s something that can be said about the fundamental story underpinning Maleficent 2, as it’s currently unclear whether the Joachim Rønning-directed sequel will pick up directly after the events of its predecessor or, on the other hand, incorporate some form of time-jump into its magical narrative. One thing we can tell you with absolute certainty though is that Disney has appointed Linda Woolverton (Maleficent) and Spectre co-writer Jez Butterworth to script duties.
The studio is yet to settle on a firm release date for Maleficent 2, but we’ll be bringing you all the latest on Joachim Rønning’s fantastical sequel as it begins to take shape.
