Angelina Jolie brings ‘Maleficent’ to life

What: “Maleficent”

Cast: Angelina Jolie, Sharlto Copley, Elle Fanning, Sam Riley, Imelda Staunton, Juno Temple and Lesley Manville

Writer: Linda Woolverton

Director: Robert Stromberg

The story: The untold story of betrayal and revenge that turned Maleficent (Jolie) into the iconic “Sleeping Beauty” villain finally is told.

The buzz: Disney keeps touting Maleficent as its most popular villain of all time, so there’s presumably a built-in audience. With a new take on “Cinderella” starring Cate Blanchett and Helena Bonham Carter due in 2015, the studio had better hope there’s interest in live-action takes on its classic animated tales.

— CHRISTOPHER LAWRENCE