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Disney's Maleficent Gets a Writer, Tim Burton Still Interested

by Ethan Anderton
March 23, 2010
Source: Heat Vision

Disney has stayed on top of the box office three weeks in a row with Tim Burton's twisted take on Alice in Wonderland. Back in January, it seemed like Burton might not be done with Disney properties yet, as we heard that the gothic filmmaker was interested in Maleficent, live-action take on the evil queen in the 1959 animated classic Sleeping Beauty. But with recent announcements of his involvement on Frankenweenie and The Addams Family, it seemed like it was only a flight of fancy. However Heat Vision reports Burton is still circling the project and Disney has brought Wonderland writer Linda Woolverton to script it. Read on!

Apparently Burton's involvement is only potential at this point as Woolverton's hiring is the first real step forward in the project's development. If you're unfamiliar with Malificent, she's a tall green-skinned woman with horns who can morph into several forms, including a terrifying black and purple dragon. That image combined with the darkness of her villainous ways sounds like something right up Burton's alley, so I really hope Disney is able to bring him on for the project. Though I've complained about his involvement in too many adaptations recently, there's certainly room for a hell of a lot of originality for a story solely about the evil queen. Either way, I'm definitely interested in the future of this particular project. Anyone with me?

Explore tags: Movie News, Opinions

DRM

God, Alice In Wonderland had awful writing though. I'd hate to see what they'd do to Maleficent.
True Blue Spider-man Fan

Gee, how much do we wanna bet he uses Helena Bonham Carter as the evil queen...sheesh...I honestly would rather he start Dark Shadows then mess with this crap...bleh
People's Champ

Im not going to slam Burton like some these people on here, but he needs to do Maleificent way down the road. Too soon. Carter played the queen in AIW, cant see him using her again to play the witch. I'm sure they'll be another role for her.
last son

This does sound interesting! The main problem I have with Burton's films are that most are not original, and he started out doing some really good interesting films like Vincent, Beetlejuice, Edward Scissorhands and The Nightmare Before Christmas. But his other films like Planet Of The Apes, Charlie And The Chocolate Factory and Alice In Wonderland are redo's of other films.
tra la la la la di da

Disney seems desperate. They're milking everything now!
Daniel felts

Why is everyone assing he'll use Carter? He probably won't. But I hope they don't change Maleficent's appearance.that would suck. But other than that, sounds pretty cool.
DRM

Hey, Burton and his problems aside, I was bashing the WRITER. Just to be clear. ---
Tim

Amy Herbelin is stoked about this.
James

If its faithful to the Disney movie, Carter would probably be cast as one of the fairies. I just want to see a kick-ass live-action chase and fight with the dragon at the end.
Victoria

I think this would be cool. The fact that he does re-do's is something, i think, that people look forward to. Yes, his originals will never be forgotten nor will the redos.
http://twitter.com/itstherocketeer Otacon

Helena Bonham-Carter as Maleficent and STARRING Johnny Depp as her crow.
Lando is a system not a man

burton needs to go back to directing original work.
People's Champ

@12- How long ago was that now, some people act like it was just yesterday. The man has done what 3 original films. (not counting Nightmare & Corpse) It's been 20 years!
SlashBeast

Burton's downward spiral continues.
NG

It's funny how people randomly bash Burton for everything he does, even though he isn't even involved nor approached to be part of the project. Though that writer for Alice really should be replaced, the writing on AIW wasn't all that great. And to all you idiotic "Burton should do original projects again" people, he has ONLY three original projects, Nightmare Before X-Mas, Beetlejuice and Edward Scissorhands. That's more than most directors. So please stop using that tired cliché.
SlashBeast

^ He didn't direct Nightmare Before Christmas.
Daniel felts

Oops. I ment assuming. Not assing.
Lando is a system not a man

Here Jr, I'll say it again: "burton needs to go back to directing original work." He's like a musician in the sense of "I liked his early work, then he got boring and predictable" how about this: "He should go back to directing Non Franchise, Non rebooted, original concepts" #13, yes, its been a long time since he's done anything interesting. I agree. "thats more than most directors"? what directors are you talking about? thats sorta like saying something "isnt bad" well that doesnt necessarily make it any "good" does it?
Glass

Burn, Burton, burn!
Emme

His original stuff will be remebered because they were good: Vincent, Edward Scissorhands, Beetlejuice... But even though AIW made lots of money and the reason Disney is now doing more live action princess films, Snow White, Cinderella, and Beauty and the BEast are now being considered. AIW was so bad.
nisenha

Love Burton, love his originals and remakes. But that's my opinion, I like the way he darkly twists movies. You don't like Tim Burton an his dark movies? Then don't freaking watch them, it's his style, let him be. And Ms Carter is a good actress and has that "dark movie" face and ways, no wonder he uses her a lot. Her acting is actually one of the things I look forward in his movies. So glad he stopped using Wynona Ryder, she's the worst actress ever. I agree with someone who mentioned Helena would probably play one of the fairies, she would be great as one of them (Merryweather would be my pick). Can't wait to see this movie, no matter who directs it!
Janelle

I hear Angelina Jolie is going to play Maleficent! My friend and I are already excited about Maleficent. After Wicked, I can't wait to see other villians side of the story.