Thescreescore – Joachim Rønning, the director behind Maleficent: Mistress of Evil, recently offered a tantalizingly ambiguous response regarding his potential return for the highly anticipated Maleficent 3. In an interview promoting his new film, Tron: Ares, conducted by Liam Crowley for thescreescore.com, the question of Rønning’s involvement in the next installment of the Disney franchise was posed. His reply? A carefully crafted, "That’s a good question," followed by a chuckle and a statement that he’s "always interested in a good story."
This carefully worded response leaves the door wide open for speculation. While not a definitive yes, it certainly doesn’t rule out a return to the world of the iconic Sleeping Beauty villain, Angelina Jolie’s Maleficent. Rønning’s previous work on the franchise, which yielded a worldwide box office gross of $491 million and a 95% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes, speaks volumes about his ability to handle the fantastical world of Maleficent.
The ambiguity is further enhanced by the fact that while Maleficent 3 was announced in 2021, with Jolie and screenwriter Linda Woolverton returning, the director’s chair remains conspicuously vacant. Rønning’s comment that his interest hinges on the strength of the story suggests that Woolverton’s script will be the deciding factor in his involvement. Given Woolverton’s impressive track record, including work on live-action Disney adaptations like Alice in Wonderland, Beauty and the Beast, and The Lion King, the potential for a compelling narrative is certainly there.
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Rønning’s career trajectory, from the Oscar-nominated Kon-Tiki to his diverse work with Disney across genres, showcases his versatility. His experience with high-seas adventure (Pirates of the Caribbean), fantasy (Maleficent), drama (Young Woman and the Sea), and now sci-fi (Tron: Ares), suggests he could bring a unique perspective to Maleficent 3. The question remains: will the story be compelling enough to lure him back to the magical realm? Only time, and the script, will tell.
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