Maleficent Finds Its Prince

Aussie actor Brenton Thwaites ("Home and Away," "Slide") has joined the cast of the live action fairy tale "Maleficent" says Deadline.

Written by Linda Woolverton the film takes "Sleeping Beauty" and switches the focus to the evil Queen (Angelina Jolie) of the story.

Thwaites is playing the handsome Prince

Elle Fanning would play somnolent Princess Aurora Miranda Richardson is set for the part of Queen Ulla, who has a less than peachy relationship with her niece Maleficent. India Eisley will appear in the first act of Maleficent as a younger version of Jolie’s character, establishing her place in the fairy kingdom’s hierarchy. Imelda Staunton and Lesley Manville , meanwhile, will play Knotgrass and Flittle. They comprise two of the three pixies who take care of Aurora. Finally, Sam Riley has been cast as Diaval, Maleficent’s right-hand man — or rather, right-hand raven who can take human form. Sharlto Copley will play King Stefan.

Kenneth Cranham co-stars.

"Avatar" and "Alice in Wonderland" production designer Robert Stromberg is on board to direct.

Don Hahn Joe Roth and Richard D. Zanuck will produce the film.

Production kicks off later this year for an early 2014 release.

Thwaites plays the male lead in the cable TV movie version of Blue Lagoon that redoes the 1980 film and will air later this year.