Saving ‘Maleficent': Disney Bringing In ‘Saving Mr. Banks’ Director for Reshoots

Disney's 'Maleficent,' a retelling of 'Sleepy Beauty' told from the perspective of the villainous witch, was bumped up from its July 2, 2014 release slot and to May 30 of the same year. First, however, the film has to head back for reshoots, which is a common occurrence with productions. But what isn't is the fact that John Lee Hancock, who helmed the studio's 'Saving Mr. Banks,' will be overseeing the reshoots by original director Robert Stromberg.

According to THR, the issue with the film is the opening, which fortunately doesn't involve the title star Angelina Jolie, as she's busy working on her WWII pic 'Unbroken.' Hancock, who aside from 'Saving Mr. Banks' wrote and directed 'The Blind Side' and wrote 'Snow White and the Huntsman,' penned several scenes to be shot for 'Maleficent.'

Though producer Joe Roth says Hancock will not be directing the reshoots, he will, as we mentioned, help oversee them by Stromberg, who's making his directorial debut. "[Hancock] wrote pages and I hired a first-time director and it's good to have him on set," said Roth.

'Maleficent' kicked off production back in June with a cast that includes Jolie, Elle Fanning, Sharlto Copley, Sam Riley, Imelda Staunton, Miranda Richardson, Juno Temple and Lesley Manville. It's the "untold story of Disney’s most iconic villain from the 1959 classic ‘Sleeping Beauty.’" As Roth says, "The movie is gorgeous to look at and the last 75 minutes are really entertaining." Jolie took the stage during this year's D23 Expo to reveal the first footage from the film, so we can at least support the stunning visuals.