The film retells the story of Sleeping Beauty from the perspective of the baddie and, since this is the age of prequels and origins, reveals just why she's such a cuss in the first place.  Maybe it's just her costume's horns or Jolie's razor's edge cheekbones, but the character certainly recalls the animated villain from Disney's 1959 film.  Does that mean we can expect an equally traditional approach to Princess Aurora, played by Elle Fanning?

In the announcement below this image, you'll note that the film is written by Alice in Wonderland screenwriter Linda Woolverton and directed by Robert Stromberg, a visual effects pro who is making his directorial debut after serving as production designer on Avatar, next year's Oz: The Great and Powerful, and, you guessed it, Alice in Wonderland.  Disney was so eager to repeat the $1 billion + global success of Alice that the studio spent some time trying to get Burton aboard Maleficent, but I'm more excited to see what Stromberg can accomplish here.

The official announcement includes a number of casting confirmations, as well as the welcome news that makeup effects legend Rick Baker is involved, which is always, always, always good to hear.  Check it out:

Burbank, CA  (June 19, 2012) – The Walt Disney Studios announced today that production began Wednesday, June 13th, on “Maleficent,” starring Academy Award®–winning actress Angelina Jolie.

Directed by two-time Oscar®-winning production designer Robert Stromberg (“Avatar,” “Alice in Wonderland”), in his directorial debut, and produced by Joe Roth, “Maleficent” is written by Linda Woolverton (“The Lion King,” “Beauty and the Beast”) and executive produced by Angelina Jolie, Don Hahn, Matt Smith and Palak Patel.

Co-starring in the film are Sharlto Copley (“District 9”), Elle Fanning (“Super 8”), Sam Riley (“On the Road”), Imelda Staunton (“Vera Drake”), Miranda Richardson (“The Hours”), Juno Temple (“Atonement”) and Lesley Manville (“Secrets & Lies”).

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

Behind-the-scenes talent includes Academy Award®–winning cinematographer Dean Semler (“Dances with Wolves,” “In the Land of Blood and Honey”), production designer Gary Freeman (“Saving Private Ryan,” “The Bourne Supremacy”), two-time Oscar® nominated costume designer Anna B. Sheppard (“Schindler’s List,” “The Pianist”) and seven-time Academy Award–winning makeup artist Rick Baker (“Planet of the Apes,” “Men in Black”).

“Maleficent” is scheduled for a March 14, 2014 release in 3D.