(C): Twitter
Back in 2014, people in the United States walked into theaters expecting another Disney retelling. What they got was something sharper. Maleficent flipped the story of Sleeping Beauty and put Angelina Jolie’s horned sorceress at the center.
The film made waves for its dark tone and commanding visuals. Five years later, Maleficent: Mistress of Evil built on that world, leaving fans with questions about peace between kingdoms. Now Disney is moving forward with Maleficent 3, set for release in 2026. With no trailer yet, audiences are eager to learn about the cast, crew, and what direction the story might take.
At this point, no official trailer exists. Disney hasn’t put out a teaser, and nothing has been shown at events or on their streaming platforms. That silence hasn’t stopped fan-made edits from crowding YouTube. Some look convincing for a few seconds, then cut to a scene that clearly belongs to another movie. Fans click, watch, and walk away disappointed.
This cycle repeats because the hunger for footage is strong. Disney usually waits until production has wrapped before dropping even a thirty-second teaser. That pattern suggests a real trailer might not land until late 2025. Until then, speculation fuels the conversation.
The casting choices make or break a fantasy film, and this franchise is anchored by Angelina Jolie. She is confirmed to return as Maleficent. The sharp cheekbones, the black wings, the voice that cuts through every scene, these are trademarks audiences now associate with her. Without her, the series simply wouldn’t carry the same weight.
Other likely returns include:
Disney has not announced new cast members yet, but history suggests there will be additions. Fresh characters often push the narrative forward, and fans are already speculating on who might appear as allies or rivals.
The faces on screen matter, but so do the names behind the camera. Disney looks ready to build on the creative structure that made the first two films recognizable.
Linda Woolverton is expected back as writer. She has shaped Maleficent’s voice since the beginning, giving the character dialogue that mixes menace with emotion.
Producer Joe Roth has been tied to the franchise since its start. His involvement signals stability for a large-scale project. Duncan Henderson has also been connected to production, though official details remain under wraps.
The biggest unknown is the director. Robert Stromberg launched the first film, while Joachim Rønning guided the sequel. Disney has not revealed who will lead the third. Fans debate whether continuity or a fresh approach would serve the film better.
The art direction has always stood out, misty forests, glowing spells, elaborate gowns that felt almost too heavy for the actors to wear. Giles Asbury’s name has been mentioned in connection with the art team, hinting that Disney will once again prioritize visuals that fill the screen.
The release date remains unconfirmed, but most predictions point to late 2025 or early 2026. Disney often slots fantasy blockbusters into holiday periods, knowing families head to theaters in higher numbers at those times.
Projects of this scale need long post-production windows. Effects-heavy films rarely land earlier than planned. Given those realities, 2026 feels most likely, though fans in the US will be watching Disney’s official calendar announcements closely.
Theories about the storyline are everywhere. One widely discussed idea is that peace between Aurora’s kingdom and the Moors will fracture. The uneasy truce at the end of Mistress of Evil looked fragile, more like a pause than a permanent solution. A third film could reopen tensions and throw Maleficent back into conflict, this time not just as a guardian but as a leader forced to defend her people.
Another cluster of theories focuses on Maleficent’s mysterious heritage. The second film hinted she was part of a rare, powerful group but didn’t fully explain her origin. Fans believe Maleficent 3 may finally address that gap. The possibility of a rival sorcerer or another being of equal strength has been floated in online forums. If true, that would challenge her identity and test her power in ways the earlier films avoided. Such a storyline would give Jolie more space to push the character beyond her established image.
Disney’s live-action catalog has seen mixed results, but Maleficent carved out its own place. The first film earned more than $750 million globally, while the second cleared nearly $500 million despite heavy competition. Those numbers explain part of the anticipation. The other part comes down to the character herself. Jolie’s Maleficent has become iconic. Her horns, her laugh, her wings cutting across the screen, all instantly recognizable.
In the United States, audiences continue to show interest in fantasy films that pair visual spectacle with character-driven stories. Maleficent offers both. She is not a standard hero, nor is she a simple villain. That tension keeps fans guessing. With Jolie confirmed, Woolverton shaping the script, and Disney preparing for a 2026 release, anticipation remains steady.
Until a trailer drops, the wait continues. Fans rewatch the earlier films, search for leaks, and argue over theories online. When Disney finally reveals the first official footage, theaters across the US will likely buzz once more with the sound of wings unfurling.
Read Also: Castlevania: Netflix’s Dark Fantasy Masterpiece and Its Enduring Impact
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