Have you seen this film?

Playing Princess

Elle Fanning shares her experience bringing Sleeping Beauty to life in Maleficent, out now

MAY 30, 2014

By Kelli Plaske

Elle Fanning plays Princess Aurora, also known as "Sleeping Beauty," in the new film Maleficent.

You have likely heard the tale of Princess Aurora and the vengeful fairy Maleficent, who cursed her to endless sleep. It was most famously told in the 1959 Disney animated movie, Sleeping Beauty. But do you know Maleficent’s side of the story? That’s the mission of Disney’s new live-action film Maleficent, starring Angelina Jolie as the title character. Actress Elle Fanning, 16, plays teenage Aurora, who is cursed to prick her finger on a spindle and sleep until true love’s kiss. TFK spoke to the actress about playing the classic Disney princess.

JOHN SHEARER—INVISION/AP

Elle Fanning (second from left) and the cast of Maleficent pose for a photo at the world premiere of the movie in Los Angeles, California.

TFK:

You’ve been acting since you were very young. Has playing a princess been a dream of yours?

ELLE:

When I was little, if anyone asked me what I want to be when I grow up, I would always say a Disney princess. And Sleeping Beauty was my favorite one, so we had a special connection.

TFK:

What do you admire about Aurora?

ELLE:

I think she sees the good in everything, and I admire that a lot.

TFK:

Do you share any similarities with her?

ELLE:

She is very happy all the time and smiles a lot, and I feel like I'm that way. I laugh and smile all the time.

TFK:

What was it like to film the famous “true love's kiss” scene?

ELLE:

It was very different to stay really still [while pretending to be asleep]. It was hard for me not to start laughing when [Brenton Thwaites, the actor playing Prince Phillip] was there. I had to be very calm and my eyes couldn’t flutter, so it was very unusual.

TFK:

How do you balance school when you're on set?

ELLE:

I go to a normal school. I just came back from school actually. But when I’m away, my school works with a studio teacher that goes with me on set. But I have to do everything else my classmates are doing when I'm on set—the same tests and homework. When I’m not working, I'm just at school.

TFK:

Why should kids see Maleficent?

ELLE:

If you love Sleeping Beauty and even Maleficent, you have to go see it. Boys will love it too—it’s not just a princess film. There are good fight sequences and amazing costumes. It would be an exciting adventure for everyone.

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