In its never-ending quest to revitalize and re-imagine its vast animated catalog, Disney is awakening one of its most beloved classics for a new project. There’s a new Sleeping Beauty project in the works, with a new angle on the classic story. It’s not connected to the recent Maleficent films, but you may be surprised to learn what up-and-coming director is attached to the movie.

Although it’s now considered one of Disney‘s finest animated features, Sleeping Beauty was initially a disaster for the company. Work on the project began in 1950, and it went through many iterations before it was finally released in 1959. Walt Disney insisted that it be different from the studio’s previous animated fairy tales, and settled on a stylized art direction for the movie; this resulted in numerous production delays, although the resulting film is uniquely visually striking. It opened to mediocre reviews and box office, but has since earned a greater appreciation from both critics and audiences. While it has yet to be fully remade in live-action, the film Maleficent and its sequel, Maleficent: Mistress of Evil, take a look at the story from the perspective of its villainess, the evil fairy of the title (Angelina Jolie).

Now, Deadline reports that Dan Trachtenberg is attached to direct a new Sleeping Beauty project at the studio. Given Trachtenberg‘s success with reviving the Predator franchise, which the company acquired with its purchase of 20th Century Fox, it’s no surprise that Disney wants to remain in business with Trachtenberg. However, the fairy-tale subject matter is a little surprising, given Trachtenberg‘s specialty to this point has been science fiction, action, and horror. The film will be directed by Trachtenberg, who also came up with the story with Rayna McClendon (Briarpatch); the script is by Big Time in Hollywood, FL duo Alex Anfanger and Dan Schimpf.

What Is ‘Sleeping Beauty’ About?

Incensed at not being invited to the newborn Princess Aurora’s christening, the evil fairy Maleficent places a curse on the girl; on her 16th birthday, she will prick her finger on the spindle of a spinning wheel and die. The curse is weakened by Aurora’s benevolent fairy guardians; instead of dying, Aurora falls into an unending sleep. Only true love’s kiss will awaken her, but the fearsome Maleficent will do everything in her power to prevent that from coming to pass.

A new Sleeping Beauty project is in development at Disney.

via Collider