Maleficent, Darling, Simply Maleficent

[Yellowstonetim]

This is intended to be an all things Maleficent thread until it is released on May 30th. I am extremely excited about this movie, it looks great. I even read an article that said it could be the next billion dollar movie.

A retelling without changing the original, amazing special effects, amazing creatures, and Angelina Jolie as the most awesome bad girl ever.

Post away and I will share articles from time to time.

Official site:
http://movies.disney.com/maleficent

Reinvention not Retelling:
http://www.cinemablend.com/new/Male...nvention-Retelling-Sleeping-Beauty-42628.html

Possible next Billion dollar movie:
http://www.fool.com/investing/gener...frozen-this-could-be-disneys-next-1-bill.aspx

Maleficent products:
http://www.deadline.com/2014/04/fro...all-time-as-disney-reaches-1b-in-record-time/

 

[Yellowstonetim]

It is May and Maleficent comes out the end of this month. It is garnering good early buzz and interest. It won't be Avengers or Frozen, but it may do very well. I am hoping for a big hit.

It looks like an interesting and new take on Maleficent while paying homage and staying true to the original Sleeping Beauty. I am most interested in the amazing creatures and visuals of the "Forest kingdom". It looks like a fun action flick as well as the story of Maleficent.

If it does well, we can expect more. I like the idea of revisiting old classics from a new angle while respecting the original. I know Disney is hanging a lot on Cinderella which comes out in 2015.

Any interest out there, or am I the only one?

They had this to say on the site Hypable (By fans for fans)
http://www.hypable.com/2014/05/01/ten-most-anticipated-movies-summer-2014/#5

Maleficent - May 30
"Maleficent has been impressing fans ever since the first shot of Angelina Jolie with her newly grown horns appeared. With Lana Del Rey's incredibly spooky cover of the beloved Once Upon a Dream, Disney has nailed this villainous adaptation. If Maleficent is even half as good as it looks, we expect it to be a massive hit at the box office and an even bigger hit with fans of the tale."

Here is some behind the scenes teaser clips. Number 2 is my favorite:
http://upandcomers.net/2014/05/02/elle-fanning-brenton-thwaites-in-three-maleficent-promos/

http://www.hngn.com/articles/30334/...idekick-diaval-in-new-teaser-clips-videos.htm

They released a new trailer with a little more information:

http://www.eonline.com/news/537489/...-kill-her-in-new-maleficent-trailer-watch-now

 

[Peanut Giggleface]

HSN paired up with Disney to offer Maleficent merchandise. Some of it's neat. Check it out. http://www.hsn.com/content/Maleficent/156

 

[kelann7]

I have a 9 year old daughter. We have the Sleeping Beauty movie, but we haven't watched it in a year or two. Would you suggest watching Sleeping Beauty before going to see Maleficient or after? I'll probably want to do both, but just looking for opinions.

Thanks.
Kelly

 

[Yellowstonetim]

I have a 9 year old daughter. We have the Sleeping Beauty movie, but we haven't watched it in a year or two. Would you suggest watching Sleeping Beauty before going to see Maleficient or after? I'll probably want to do both, but just looking for opinions.

Thanks.
Kelly

I think it would be best to watch Sleeping Beauty before you go. It appears from the trailers that the movie is designed for those that already are familiar with Disney's Sleeping Beauty movie. There are a number of connections. Since it is a retelling the twists and surprises in Maleficent are not spoiled by watching Sleeping Beauty. In fact, I think a viewing of Sleeping Beauty will help you better understand and enjoy Maleficent.

And yes, I'll be watching it after, too.

We are planning a party to watch Sleeping Beauty and then go straight to see Maleficent.

 

[Yellowstonetim]

HSN paired up with Disney to offer Maleficent merchandise. Some of it's neat. Check it out. http://www.hsn.com/content/Maleficent/156

Thanks, some of those duds are pretty cool!

 

[rapunzelrocks]

MAC came out with a make up collection for Maleficent. Very red lipstick.

Looks like a lot of the merchandising is aimed at women, not children.

I am so looking forward to this movie.

 

[surferdave]

This is intended to be an all things Maleficent thread until it is released on May 30th. I am extremely excited about this movie, it looks great. I even read an article that said it could be the next billion dollar movie.

I'm still struggling with where this movie will find an audience big enough for that. It looks too dark and scary for mass appeal with children. It doesn't look like it will appeal to the dreamy vampire tweener audience; I don't see it attracting a big male audience, and I don't think it has the appeal to be the next big women's movie (and Titanic may be the only movie like that to pass a billion anyway). I can see it hitting the same level of success that Snow White and the Huntsman did, but they seem to be hoping for Alive in Wonderland numbers. What am I missing?

 

[Yellowstonetim]

I'm still struggling with where this movie will find an audience big enough for that. It looks too dark and scary for mass appeal with children. It doesn't look like it will appeal to the dreamy vampire tweener audience; I don't see it attracting a big male audience, and I don't think it has the appeal to be the next big women's movie (and Titanic may be the only movie like that to pass a billion anyway). I can see it hitting the same level of success that Snow White and the Huntsman did, but they seem to be hoping for Alive in Wonderland numbers. What am I missing?

I have to admit I partially agree with this. A Billion seems extremely unlikely. It will do well and even be a hit, but the buzz two weeks out doesn't indicate anything that big.

I think there is a market for live action twists on animated movies. And it is rated PG so I think it will be milder than people think. I hope the tweeners like it, I think Disney movie fans will. And I'm hoping the fantasy aspect and creatures will attract women, while the action and battles attract males. But all of that is a long shot.

If it does north of 200 million domestic that will be a big success.

We will see. Again, buzz is good, but NOT fantastic. If it is a great movie, hopefully word of mouth will grow it into a hit. I have no idea how the rest of the world will view it, that is where it might get big, just don't know.

It looks great to me!

 

[tiny angel]

I am really excited about this movie.

 

[Yellowstonetim]

Early tracking is saying buzz is very good and is predicting $70 Million opening. Early tracking is more a measure of marketing efforts than it is an accurate predictor of box office. The early tracking reports said Disney will really ramp up the marketing in the last 10 days. The movie is really trending strongly with women, girls, and families. The real unknown will be if men and boys turn out for the action, creatures, and Jolie.

I am more than stoked. Been a great year for movies. I loved Frozen, Saving Mr. Banks, Captain America, Godzilla, and now Maleficent!!

 

[Disneylover99]

I'm really looking forward to this movie. Aurora is my favourite princess and Maleficent is my favourite villain.

While I personally can't stand Angelina Jolie, I think she will be a big draw for many. She makes a pretty decent villain in real life so hopefully this will carry out seamlessly on the screen.

 

[Yellowstonetim]

Time is ticking down. Just need to get that minor indie film out of the way this weekend, S, or T, or X people, or something like that,.

Things are tracking well and Disney has begun to put the marketing machine in overdrive.

Here are some interesting articles:

Huff Post Entertainment has an interesting article about things you "need to know" about Maleficent.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/...jolie_n_5329794.html?utm_hp_ref=entertainment

A good article on the creation of Maleficent's look in Fashionista:
http://fashionista.com/2014/05/maleficent-makeup-costumes#awesm=~oF21ZotKXP7Eex

A few of the Maleficent clips including the one of her flying in the clouds:
http://herocomplex.latimes.com/movies/maleficent-angelina-jolie-soars-through-the-clouds-videos/#/0

This set of clips contains a featurette that show how they did some of the flying. Pretty cool to see that everything wasn't done digitally, that they really had Maleficent and some of the other characters fly through the air.
http://sciencefiction.com/2014/05/22/two-clips-new-featurette-maleficent/

Here is a good 4 minute interview with Sam Riley on getting the tone of the movie correct.
http://www.bleedingcool.com/2014/05...-the-tone-right-learning-from-birds-and-more/

Prepare yourself for the mistress of all evil. (Insert evil laugh).

 

[taylor3297]

My family is looking forward to this movie including my son.

Now as to Lana Del Rey version of Once Upon a Dream, not liking it at all.

 

[Yellowstonetim]

Well, it is the final week and Maleficent is still buzzing well and expected to open above $60 million which would be good. I still hold out hope that the combination of Jolie, battles, cool creatures, and a dragon all coupled with a twist on an iconic story will turn it into a breakout hit.

There are no reviews out yet, I expect them in a day or so. If reviews are good that will help.

Here is an interesting article about Maleficent and Elle Fanning titled; "How 'Maleficent' will make Elle Fanning a Superstar":
http://nypost.com/2014/05/24/how-maleficent-will-make-elle-fanning-a-superstar/

Some featurettes videos including, "Playing a Princess".
http://modoration.com/2014/05/25/watch-behind-scenes-footage-maleficent-new-featurettes/

And a general article on the history of Maleficent as Disney's greatest villain, and Sleeping Beauty:
http://lifestyle.inquirer.net/16107...eficent-remains-walt-disneys-greatest-villain

 

[ashleysev]

We saw the extended sneak at Disneyland last month - it looks amazing! But I have to agree, I don't see it as being a blockbuster.

My sons have asked to go see it, so we'll see. Going on opening day!

 

[Yellowstonetim]

We saw the extended sneak at Disneyland last month - it looks amazing! But I have to agree, I don't see it as being a blockbuster.

My sons have asked to go see it, so we'll see. Going on opening day!

That is promising and might make the difference. It looked like a fun movie for boys and girls, to me. But then again, I like everything including princess movies.

 

[TooExcitedCantSleep]

This isn't exactly Toy Story 3..... it looks far too dark for kids under 10. Angelina Jolie said that some of her own kids were terrified of Maleficent!!

http://parade.condenast.com/295252/...lies-kids-scared-of-her-maleficent-character/

Jolie, 38, has said that when son Pax, 10, first saw her dressed as the spiteful sorceress for Disney’s new take on Sleeping Beauty (in theaters May 30), he “ran away and got upset…he was actually crying”—but he’s an extra in a christening scene with sister Zahara, 9. Jolie’s youngest girl, Vivienne, 6, got cast as the young Princess Aurora because she “wasn’t afraid of my horns and my [yellow] eyes and my claws.”

 

[Yellowstonetim]

This isn't exactly Toy Story 3..... it looks far too dark for kids under 10. Angelina Jolie said that some of her own kids were terrified of Maleficent!!

http://parade.condenast.com/295252/...lies-kids-scared-of-her-maleficent-character/

Jolie, 38, has said that when son Pax, 10, first saw her dressed as the spiteful sorceress for Disney’s new take on Sleeping Beauty (in theaters May 30), he “ran away and got upset…he was actually crying”—but he’s an extra in a christening scene with sister Zahara, 9. Jolie’s youngest girl, Vivienne, 6, got cast as the young Princess Aurora because she “wasn’t afraid of my horns and my [yellow] eyes and my claws.”

Several, including Jolie, have said it is going to be OK for kids. It is even rated PG, the same as Frozen, not PG-13 like most modern action flicks. I think the character in person, and in character, would definitely scare a young child. The movie should be different.

But, you are right, it will not be TS3.

 

[Yellowstonetim]

The reviews are beginning to role in! Please note that a number of the reviews give away plot points. If you want to be TOTALLY surprised, don't read them. This one is particularly good:

"Maleficent is Magnificent!"
http://www.heyuguys.co.uk/maleficent-review/

So far Rotten Tomatoes only as one and it is a thumbs up. I've read three. The one above is very positive, two others have various complaints but say that the movie over all is good, particularly because of Jolie. Tomorrow evening we will have a better picture of the reviews.