After portraying the title character in two previous Maleficent movies, it sounds like Angelina Jolie has signed on to return for a third instalment.
Though details are few and far between, the actress confirmed that she will star in the fantasy adventure threequel during a new interview with The Wall Street Journal.
We first got word of a possible third outing for the "Mistress of Evil" during last year's D23, with The DisInsider claiming that the project was in the early stages of development. There was no mention of the movie at the event itself, but rumors soon sprang up that both Guillermo del Toro and Jaume Collet-Serra were in talks to direct.
We still don't know if any filmmaker has signed on to helm the movie, as the report simply notes that Jolie will star in "a third installment of Maleficent with Disney."
Jolie has several other projects in the works, but it sounds like the actress might be planning to take a long - possibly even permanent - break from Hollywood over the next few years.
“Because I grew up around Hollywood, I was never very impressed with it. I never bought into it as significant or important. I wouldn’t be an actress today,” she noted of her Hollywood status, admitting, “When I was starting out, it wasn’t as much of an expectation to be as public, to share so much.”
“It’s part of what happened after my divorce. I lost the ability to live and travel as freely. I will move when I can,” she added, mentioning the desire to return to her home in Cambodia. “I grew up in quite a shallow place. Of all the places in the world, Hollywood is not a healthy place. So you seek authenticity.”
What does this mean for Eternals 2? The MCU sequel has yet to be officially announced, but even if a direct follow-up to the divisive Chloe Zhao-directed adventure never materializes, we assume Marvel Studios has plans for the main characters.
Jolie has expressed interest in reprising the role of Thena in the past, but if these comments are anything to go by, Marvel would be wise to get a move on!
Do you have any interest in seeing another Maleficent movie? Be sure to drop us a comment down below.
"As a beautiful young woman of pure heart, Maleficent (Angelina Jolie) has an idyllic life in a forest kingdom. When an invading army threatens the land, Maleficent rises up to become its fiercest protector. However, a terrible betrayal hardens her heart and twists her into a creature bent on revenge. She engages in an epic battle with the invading king's successor, then curses his newborn daughter, Aurora -- realizing only later that the child holds the key to peace in the kingdom."