Elle Fanning on Angelina Jolie: ‘We actually got very close’ on Maleficent 2

There are some/many people who only want to see Angelina Jolie as The Villainess, the conniving bitch who dared to leave Brad Pitt, The Leg of Doom and Audacity. I’m a Jolie stan and even *I* think of her that way sometimes. Some days, Angelina really does need to be humanized a bit, and we need to be reminded that for many young girls and women, she’s actually quite approachable and cool. Enter Elle Fanning: Elle was about 14 years old when she filmed the first Maleficent movie with Angelina. Angelina once described their first meeting this way: “she ran across the hallway and hugged me and jumped on me and we joked later like it was like being attacked by a thousand cute, gorgeous bunnies.” Elle has talked repeatedly about how close she and Angelina became on the first film, and apparently they grew even closer while filming the second one:

Elle Fanning thinks Angelina Jolie is “amazing.” The young star who recently finished work on Maleficent 2 tells PEOPLE, “I was 14 when I did the first movie, now I’m 20. I wasn’t as young now so Angelina and I got to relate on a different level now that I’m older,” Fanning says while at the L’Oréal Fashion Show during Paris Fashion Week on Sunday. Their time together on the set saw the two stars bond.

“We actually got very close on the second one. Very close. She’s amazing!” the 20-year-old actress says. “She does a lot and is very inspiring to work with. To see how she handles the business and also she’s the producer so to see that side of things, to see her with her producer hat on, I learned a lot.”

When asked if the producer hat fit over Jolie’s iconic horns Fanning laughed.

“Oh yeah,” she says. “Definitely.”

While Fanning couldn’t divulge any details about the plot, she did say working with the mother of six “was a great experience… We finished shooting this summer in London and Pinewood after about four months. Even a little more than that. I can’t say, you know, like a lot about the story because Disney would kill me but it was a great experience working with Angelina again. It was real exciting to reunite and have a sequel. I’ve never done a sequel to a film before so I’ve never gotten to have a recurring character. Never had the opportunity to come back to a character before.”

[From People]

Honestly, I’m not one of those adults who will watch every Disney film (I’ve missed some iconic ones, I know), but I enjoyed Maleficent for what it was: a really sweet story about women and girls. I have no idea what the story will be for the second one, but we have a while to wait: Maleficent 2 isn’t being released until May 2020. As for Elle and Angelina… they’re so cute together. I would say that Angelina is probably maternal towards her, but I think their vibe is probably more “big sister-little sister” or “cool auntie-cool niece.”

Japan premiere of 'Maleficent'

Photos courtesy of Instagram, WENN.

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16 Responses to “Elle Fanning on Angelina Jolie: ‘We actually got very close’ on Maleficent 2”

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  1. Rose says:

    How many times do they need to put this story out? I swear I’ve seen it 3/4 times already .

    • Sidewithkids says:

      Stories repeat all the time especially in the social media era we’re in right now. Plus, she’s Angelina, she has to be up there in terms of popular clicks. Also, these tabloids continue to act like she can control how a grown man behaves especially around his kids, which she can not, that’s why she moved on and told him to kick rocks.

  2. Sidewithkids says:

    Lol. I love them together. Elle just always makes me giggle, I don’t know why but she does. She a cute girl. Can’t wait to see M2 but they should do another movie together where they actually play mother and daughter. Also, love what Elle said about Angie being amazing, an inspiration to all, which is true.

  3. Lady D says:

    Cute picture. I’m a big fan of both ladies.

  4. Lala11_7 says:

    I didn’t think I would cotton to “Maleficent”…as I don’t generally go for that type of film…and Sharlto Copley, who played the King…actually irritates me…and…I don’t know why…

    However, the movie ended up CHARMING THE HECK OUT OF ME…and being SO POIGNANT! I think it’s one of the best things I’ve ever seen Angie do on the screen…and the love story between her and Elle is one of the BEST loves stories I have ever seen!

    You could SEE the real bonds between them….there ain’t THAT much acting…in the world…

    Angie LOVES her “Beastie” FOR REALS!

    • Lilly says:

      I loved it too and it was by chance through going to the movies with others. She was so amazing. Can’t wait for the new one.

  5. whatWHAT? says:

    I love that header pic. Jolie with the horns and shades AND the fluffy white robe/peace sign?…hilarious.

    • K-Peace says:

      I love that picture too. It makes me smile. It shows a different, laid-back, humorous side of Angelina that we don’t often see.

  6. Zee says:

    So she became friends with Angie when she was 14 and she jumped on her and cuddled with her? I wonder what the comments would be like if this was about Drake and Millie.

  7. Stacy Dresden says:

    I love Elle Fanning – I think she’s a terrific actress. It’s nice to see women bonding in that cutthroat industry.

  8. Nibbi says:

    yeah… i’m not so proud of this, but i’m kinda jealous of elle 😉 it would be so cool to get to work so closely w Jolie and learn from her and, you know, be almost semi-adopted by her 😉

  9. Maya says:

    Love love this story and they look so cute together

  10. Raina says:

    I swear, for no reason whatsoever, I have this weird way that I completely relate to A.J. Just a vibe, maybe. And, I can totally relate to her having a kinship to this really sweet girl on set. I think A.J. is good to those she meets, honest and real. Not a saint, per se, but human. In a way we should all be. Being flawed yet meaning well is the entire human condition.
    I only side eye phonies and those seeking perfection.
    It’s a nice story.
    Not everyone walks around as a “brand.”
    I value those who don’t, most.
    Be you.
    Loved the first movie.

    • dj says:

      It sounds like maybe Elle got some 1 on 1 time with A.J. While doing ‘producing type things’. I would love it if one day A.J. Helped Elle get something going on her own. Being her older auntie type who does shit & has skills. AJ helping her on her own movie project that may be different from her fluffiness. I’d love to see how women can mentor women. Go for it ladies!

    • Sidewithkids says:

      @Raina, this is beautiful and correct. She doesn’t walk around w/ a fake smile on her face. She is genuine and that’s why some have a problem w/ her. A lot of people don’t like the truth especially when it’s coming from a woman. Look at this Ford and Kavanaugh situation. I’m glad Angie does her and isn’t some fake HW star like you know who. (I really think this is what they fought about, he wanted her to “fit in”). I think she tried to do it but it’s just not her. She keeps it real and that’s refreshing.