The long-rumored casting of Angelina Jolie in the title role of Maleficent, as Disney’s ultimate villain, has been confirmed, along with the film’s release date, March 14, 2014. The live-action film will explore the origins of the evil fairy Maleficent, and what led her to curse Princess Aurora in Disney’s animated classic Sleeping Beauty. Leading a team of visionary filmmakers known for creating and transporting audiences to new and exciting worlds, Academy Award-winning production designer Robert Stromberg (Alice in Wonderland and the forthcoming Oz The Great and Powerful) will direct, from a script by Linda Woolverton. The film will be produced by Avatar producer Joe Roth.