As of today, Production officially began on “Maleficent,” and Disney has released the first official photo of Angelina Jolie as the infamous Sleeping Beauty villainess!

According to the movie’s synopsis, “Maleficent” is the untold story of Disney’s most beloved villain, from the 1959 classic “Sleeping Beauty.” The film will reveal the events that hardened Maleficent’s heart and drove her to curse the baby Aurora.

Robert Stromberg (production designer for “Alice in Wonderland”) makes his directorial debut, and the script was written by Linda Woolverton, who worked with Stromberg on “Alice,” and is best known for writing Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast” and co-writing “The Lion King.”

In addition to Jolie, “Maleficent” will also star Elle Fanning (as Aurora/Sleeping Beauty), Sam Riley, Sharlto Copley, Imelda Staunton, Miranda Richardson, Juno Temple and Lesley Manville.

The film hits theaters in 3D on March 14th 2014.

Are you excited about this movie?