Robert Stromberg directs Disney's 'Maleficent'

Disney has secured Robert Stromberg to direct Maleficent.

The Oscar-winning Avatar and Alice in Wonderland production designer will make his directorial debut on the Angelina Jolie-starring movie, reports Deadline.

The film updates the story of the villain of Disney classic Sleeping Beauty, telling it from the point of view of the fairytale's evil witch.

Tim Burton was previously attached to direct Maleficent before deciding to focus on Dark Shadows.

Stromberg is also working as production designer on Disney's upcoming Oz The Great And Powerful, and has previous production design credits on Avatar and Burton's Alice in Wonderland.

The revisionist story is being scripted by Linda Woolverton (Alice in Wonderland, The Lion King, Sleeping Beauty).

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