- Angelina Jolie as Maleficent,[4] a fierce and vindictive protector of the Moors who, in revenge for the betrayal by her former lover Stefan, places a curse on his daughter Aurora.[3] Unlike her animated counterpart, this version of the character is portrayed more sympathetically.[5] As the film progresses, Maleficent turns from a victim into a villain, following Stefan's betrayal, and finally into a hero because of the maternal feelings she develops for Aurora.[6] Jolie described her character as "slightly insane, extremely vibrant, a little wicked, and has a big sense of humor, so she's quite full-on. She's one of those characters that, for me, you couldn't do halfway."[7] She further admitted that Maleficent was one of the most difficult characters that she had ever played because "she represents all sides of what it is to be human, even though she is not… For me, the journey of playing her has been much heavier, much more emotional, and much more difficult an experience than I expected."[8]
- Isobelle Molloy as Young Maleficent.[9]
- Ella Purnell as Teen Maleficent.[10]
- Elle Fanning as Aurora,[11] also known as Sleeping Beauty,[12] an innocent daughter of Stefan and Leila who falls under Maleficent's curse.[3] Fanning described her character as "very free spirited, and since she has been kept away from normal life, she's very open to things and innocent. But that's what makes her very likable and charming."[13] Robert Stromberg highlighted the contrast between Aurora and Maleficent, which he described as the "beacon of light vs. darkness… It reminds me a little of the girl plucking petals from the flower in Frankenstein. It's such a wonderful contrast and the joy in making this film was bringing those two elements together and discovering things that we normally wouldn't know."[14]
- Vivienne Jolie-Pitt as 5-year-old Aurora.[15]
- Eleanor Worthington Cox as 8-year-old Aurora.[16]
- Janet McTeer as an elderly Aurora, who serves as the film's narrator.[17]
- Sharlto Copley as Stefan,[18] Aurora's ambitious and vengeful father and Maleficent's former childhood friend/lover, who cuts off the latter's wings to become the king.[3][19] Unlike his animated counterpart, this version of the character is portrayed in a more antagonistic light.[6] Commenting on his character, Copley said that "it was an opportunity to play a character that was almost like a cautionary tale for men… To have a character like Stefan, who has what most men have, which is a desire to be ambitious, and driven, and the proverbial king of his castle. He literally becomes the king of his castle, but is prepared to sacrifice his true love to get there… It was an interesting character and opportunity to play that kind of male ego running away with itself."[20]
- Michael Higgins as Young Stefan.[21]
- Jackson Bews as Teen Stefan.[3]
- Lesley Manville, Imelda Staunton, and Juno Temple as Flittle, Knotgrass, and Thistlewit,[22][23] a trio of incompetent and inept pixies whom Stefan charges with taking care of Aurora until her sixteenth birthday.[3] These versions of the characters are markedly different from their animated counterparts (named Flora, Fauna, and Merryweather), with their role being reduced to comic relief.[24] Commenting on her character, Manville said that Flittle is "incredibly proud of her special magical power that allows her to turn things blue. She can turn everything blue and she thinks everything should be blue as well."[25] Staunton described Knotgrass as "the most important pixie – in her own head. Very bossy, very organized, has to control everything. There are three pixies and she is the self-appointed grown-up among them."[26] According to Temple, Thistlewit is "the youngest member and she is definitely more 'away with the fairies' than the other two. She’s more distracted by nature. She wants to smell flowers and she wants to dance around, so she's a much younger free spirit."[25]
- Sam Riley as Diaval,[22] Maleficent's shape-shifting raven companion.[3] Riley described his character as "Maleficent's loyal ally who can fly to places and spy for her. Their relationship blooms and Diaval develops an affection for her. He's the only character who's capable of telling her when she becomes a little overwrought and who really knows what she's thinking."[27] Stromberg elaborated that Diaval is "the conscience in the ear of Maleficent at all times. He helps her down the path of finding out who she is. He comes at the lowest point in Maleficent's life and becomes, in addition to Aurora, the other character that really pulls Maleficent out of her dark hole."[3]
The film also features Brenton Thwaites as Philip,[28] a prince who befriends and falls in love with Aurora.[29] Kenneth Cranham portrays King Henry,[22] Stefan's predecessor and Leila's father, whose efforts to conquer the Moors get him slain by Maleficent.[30][31] Hannah New portrays Princess Leila,[3] King Henry's daughter, Stefan's wife, and Aurora's mother.[32] New described her character as a "demure, untouchable princess."[33]
