‘Secret Life’ thesp joins Disney live-action fantasy

India Eisley (“The Secret Life of the American Teenager”) is set to play a younger version of Angelina Jolie’s character in Disney’s “Maleficent,” which Joe Roth is producing via his Roth Films banner.

Veteran production designer Robert Stromberg (Disney’s upcoming “Oz: The Great and Powerful”) is making his directorial debut from a script by Linda Woolverton, who wrote Disney’s billion-dollar grosser “Alice in Wonderland.”

Live-action fantasy pic stars Jolie in the title role as Disney’s ultimate villainess. Story explores the origins of the evil fairy and what led her to curse Princess Aurora (Elle Fanning) in Disney’s animated classic “Sleeping Beauty.”

Eisley will play young Maleficent in the opening act, which establishes the character’s role in the kingdom’s hierarchy.

Sharlto Copley will co-star as Stefan, the half-human, half-fairy bastard son of the human king (Kenneth Cranham). Supporting cast also includes Sam Riley as Maleficent’s right-hand man, Miranda Richardson as Maleficent’s regal aunt, and Brit thesps Imelda Staunton and Lesley Manville as pixies who care for Aurora.

“Maleficent” is skedded to start production in June, and Disney will release the pic on March 14, 2014.

Eisley, who plays Shailene Woodley’s younger sister on ABC Family’s hit series The Secret Life of the American Teenager,” was last seen playing Kate Beckinsale’s daughter in “Underworld: Awakening.” She’s repped by ICM and Justice & Ponder.

Source: Variety