Angelina Jolie might be playing Maleficent on the big screen, but she apparently isn’t available to play the part for a Disney Channel movie. Instead, Disney has picked Broadway star Kristin Chenoweth to play Maleficent in Descendants.
Descendants was announced in December and focuses on the children of Disney’s most iconic villains. Belle and Beast from Beauty and the Beast are about to become Queen and King of a mythical land where the offspring of the villains were banished to an island. However, Belle and Beast are giving them a chance to lead their own lives.
According to TheWrap, Chenoweth joined the cast to play the Sleeping Beauty villain. Maleficent’s daughter, Mal, will be played by Dove Cameron (Liv and Maddie).
Kenny Ortega (High School Musical) is directing. Variety notes that the script was penned by Josann McGibbon and Sara Parriott. Production will kick off this month and the film should air next year.
Chenoweth is best known for originating the role of Glinda in Wicked on Broadway. She also appeared on CBS’ The Good Wife and Fox’s Glee recently. She also starred on the short-lived ABC series CBGB and Pushing Daisies.
Maleficent, which Jolie as the title character and Elle Fanning as Princess Aurora, opens on May 30.