This time around, Disney is producing a film focusing on the untold story of one of its most iconic villains. Everyone knows the story of Disney's "Sleeping Beauty," her fairy godmothers and Prince Charming, as well as the iconic villain Maleficent, who cast a spell on Aurora in Disney's 1959 classic. But what people may not know is why, exactly, did Maleficent do that to Sleeping Beauty?

The upcoming film "Maleficent" is set to open in the cinemas on May 30, 2014. It will star Angelina Jolie as Maleficent, Brent Thwaites as Prince Phillip, and Elle Fanning as Princess Aurora. It began filming on June 18, 2012 and is produced by Joe Roth, Don Hann, and Richard Zanuck, while being directed by Robert Stromberg. The film will run for 135 minutes and is also planned to be released in 3-D.

Angelina Jolie's daughter will also be part of the cast to play the young Aurora because she was the only child who was not afraid of her mother in the villain costume. "These little kids would visit the set, and I would think, 'Oh, I am a Disney character,' so I would go over to them, and say, 'Hi there,'" She told People at a D23 Expo in August. "They would just scream."

"One little kid even said, 'Mommy, please make the mean witch stop talking to me,'" she added. Therefore, Brad Pitt and Angelina's daughter Vivenne Jolie-Pitt was ultimately brought in the to play the role. Elle Fanning is Angelina Jolie's other co-star. The 16 year old from Georgia is the younger sister of famous actress Dakota Fanning. This can be considered Elle's breakout role, although before now she has been in "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" in 2008 and "Daddy Day Care" in 2003.


We know the film is going for a sympathetic portrayal of the villain, including explaining how she became a bitter witch (she was betrayed) and the circumstances that led her to curse the princess Sleeping Beauty (the King was trying to take over her forest village). Ultimately, it becomes Maleficent's goal to prevent Aurora from falling victim to the curse that was placed upon her so many years ago.


Here are Disney's sneak peeks of the upcoming movie.