As part of my amazing adventure in LA, for the Maleficent press junket, I had the chance to sit down with Elle Fanning, who plays Aurora. After seeing the film, she was definitely the right choice to play the part. Not just because she has the personality of Aurora and the beauty, but because it was her dream to be a Disney Princess when she grew up! Who knew that dream would become a reality!
For Elle, it was her dream to be a Disney princess. Whenever anyone asked her what she wanted to be when she grew up she responded with “A Disney Princess” because of course, when you are little that is an ultimate goal in life! It wasn’t just any princess though, it was Sleeping Beauty herself, Aurora! Aurora was always Elle’s favorite, because she was the one she resembled the most. Always buying the clothes and shoes that Aurora wore, getting to play her “Was really a dream” said Elle!
I imagine it was tricky taking on the role of a Disney princess, so how did she feel taking on the role of her favorite princess?
I watched the animated movie so many times and want to do it justice, because I feel like with Sleeping Beauty, they’ve already done it so perfectly, you know. I mean, I have to live up to that.
I tried to bring that charm to the role. But also in this version there is a little more to her. She’s not just a delicate princess, you know. She has some strength and she actually shows real emotion. She gets sad and feels betrayal, because a lot of secrets are hidden from her. So, it was nice in this version, that we could make her more human.
While I am sure she loved shooting the whole movie, we know most actors have on particular scene they love to shoot. For Elle that was the famous finger prick scene! She loved it because it was such an iconic scene and really impacted her when she was a child. Here, she elaborates more on why it was her favorite scene!
It was the very last day of filming. Everything was building its way up to that monumental moment and I I wanted to do it right, you know, everything has to be a certain way.
As a child, it scared me more than Maleficent, herself, did because of the way the lights were. It looked like Aurora was morphing into Maleficent, with that green and purple light. So I said, “We have to have those lights.” They ended up making it more of a green hue and then I had the trance.
Check out the “spindle” clip, before you read the rest of the interview!
We got to find out, from Elle all about her audition and how she found out she got the part! According to Elle, everything happened really fast. After hearing there was going to be a Maleficent movie and knowing there had to be an Aurora, she immediately thought “I hope I get to be her“. She met with the director and the writer. During the meeting she felt like they got a sense of her, what she was like. They didn’t take time to give her much of the story, because they had pretty much decided to give her the part. She received the script and that was like the coronation of it all and the rest is history!
As for keeping the character believable, Elle wanted to make sure she did just that. She thought “It could get boring, if that’s the girl who is happy and doesn’t know anything” Elle wanted to bring something to her, because she is desperate to learn and trying to figure things out. “Since she hasn’t been taught to be scared of things yet, she can look at things differently.”
As I watched Elle bring Aurora to life, I was very impressed with just how good of a job she did. As I sat and interviewed, I noticed a girl who is wise beyond her years and has a personality that, I can see, solidifying future roles! Go see what I am talking about when Maleficent hits theaters this Friday (5/30).
**Thank you to Disney for covering most expenses during this press junket. All opinions express are my own**
Toni Patton
Latest posts by Toni Patton (see all)
- Sunsets Are My Reminder… - May 27, 2024
- Pensacola Beach’s “Bands on the Beach” 2024 Schedule Announced - February 21, 2024
- When The Baby Goes to College: I’m Not Ready…But, oh, How Ready She Is - August 22, 2023
She is so pretty and pure looking! I Have never heard of this girl before…she is adorable.
She’s quite a lucky girl to have captured that part. What an awesome role and experience. She sure seems to appreciate it all.
I can’t wait to watch this! Who didn’t want to be a Disney princess when they were growing up. I want to be one now ;-0
I love her answer to what she wanted be be when she grew up! My daughter is 5 and I am pretty sure that her life plan includes being a Disney Princess!
Oh this is great! I’m looking forward to seeing it!
She really looks the part too. Excellent casting!
She looks so much the part! I can’t wait to see this!
this movie sounds really good, and Elle is so pretty! I love her hair!
I am going to check this out- I love her.
Elle is adorable! What a fun trip!
Great Interview How Much Fun This Must Of Been Will Be Taking The Family To See The Movie!
Unique and beautiful young lady. How neat you got to visit with her.
What an awesome event! I can not wait to see this, my daughter is all over this too. I might make it a special mommy daughter event for us.
She seems so mature. I am sure she does an awesome job in this movie. I can’t wait to see it.
She is so pretty and I think the perfect choice for this role. I can’t wait to see the movie
Oh wow – she is beautiful! Can’t wait to see this flick!
Sounds like she really embraced her roll. How neat that her dream of being a Disney princess came true– a lot of hard work went into that!
I saw Elle at Disney Social Media Moms. She was very good on stage and very eloquent with her words. We couldn’t believe she was only 16! Great interview!
She looks just as pretty in real life! I cannot wait for the movie!!!
She’s awesome in the role. And totally adorable!!!
I love it when you can tell the perfect person was chosen for a particular role. Sometimes in movies, I’ll tell my husband, “So and so would have played a better role!” but she sure looks the part! We can’t wait to see it. I think my husband is more excited than I am!
She is so gorgeous. She will play this part perfectly I imagine. They cast this movie so well and I can’t wait to see it!
This movie seems like the one to see, if I ever get a chance to get to the theaters, I am seeing this one!
Sounds like she is a perfect Aurora. It must have been fun to share in her excitement
Elle Fanning is so adorable. I can’t wait to see how she does in this movie.
Elle Fanning is so adorable. I can’t wait to see how she does in this movie.
She did such a great job! I think she’s got a bright future ahead of her!
I’m really looking forward to seeing this one. I’m especially curious about the horns.
How lucky is she to get such a great part.Do not really know much about her to be honest but can not wait to watch the movie,My oldest keeps on going on about it.
She looks so nice! I am so excited to see the new Maleficent movie!
Elle is simply adorable. I don’t think they could have picked a better actress to play Aurora. Looking forward to seeing this movie soon.
What a nice interview! I think she has the perfect look for the part too, she looks like a princess. 🙂
Wow!! What a moment in the finger prick clip. Looks like a great movie to see with my oldest. My youngest might get a little scared. Great interview!
That is fantastic! She seems to be on a great path!
I so want to see this movie! Looks fantastic!!!
I cannot wait to see it on Friday. I think they did very well in casting for Maleficent.
It is nice to look at art and the people who create it the way you did here.
She is absolutely perfect for this role and how adorable! Can’t believe what a young woman she has turned into. Great interview!
She is one beautiful lady. I hope to watch this movie soon. it looks like a good movie to watch 🙂
My daughter also wants to be a disney princess. Elle seems like a great young actress witha good head on her shoulders.
I just saw the trailer for this movie. Usually it wouldn’t be up my alley, but I’m really excited to see it!
Elle is beautiful. And so grown up/mature. She makes a great “princess”!
I can’t get over how much she and her sister have grown up! That’s crazy!
This movie is getting lots of buzz. Might have to check it out.
This must have been an amazing experience, I wish I could attend something like this. I can’t wait to see this movie now!!
She’s so pretty and of course she wanted to be a princess! Looking forward to seeing this one.
Maleficent is such an incredible movie! Elle did a great job portraying Aurora. It’s so funny that she wanted to be a Disney Princess – I did, too. Maybe there’s still hope for my dream to come true 🙂