Live action Disney crossover film is inevitable says 'Maleficent: Mistress of Evil' director Joachim Rønning

In the Marvel Cinematic Universe, crossovers have become the norm with characters from different films popping up wherever they please.

It's yet to happen in the world of Disney’s live-action remakes, but it’s only a matter of time concedes Maleficent: Mistress of Evil director Joachim Rønning.

“There will come a day,” the Norwegian filmmaker admits. “I don't think [Disney will] sit back now and say 'oh, this is enough movies now', they will continue and come up with new and interesting ways of telling these stories.”

Disney’s live action universe could – in theory – incorporate characters from 2010’s Alice In Wonderland, 2015’s Cinderella, 2016’s Jungle Book, 2017’s Beauty and the Beast, and 2019’s Lion King, Aladdin and Dumbo.

Read more: Aladdin producer updates on sequel plans

Elle Fanning, who returns as Aurora in the Maleficent sequel (in cinemas Friday), is also on board with the idea and wants to see Maleficent in a Suicide Squad-style bad guy team up movie.

“It would be pretty cool to get all the villains together,” she said. “Cate Blanchett from Cinderella could join the group, right? That could be really fun.”

Harris Dickinson – Mistress of Evil’s Prince Philip – would take things even further. He wants Maleficent – played by Angelina Jolie – to lock horns (literally) come with familiar faces from sister franchises.

“Maleficent could be one of the Avengers pretty easily,” he told us.

“At times watching this film you get that feeling of a superhero vengeance and power. She could definitely slip into that world without a problem.”

Read more: How Aurora has evolved since Sleeping Beauty

Whether Jolie could ever end up in an Avengers movie remains to be seen – she’s about to join the MCU in 2020’s The Eternals – but one thing that is certain is the star power she has isn't just appreciated by the viewers, but by her fellow actors too. Sam Riley spends most of his scenes with the iconic actress and he admitted that despite spending so much time with her, he still pinches himself on set.

“It's cool and it doesn't get tired. Every time she walks on set you pinch yourself, oh my god, it's Angelina Jolie. It was a big moment meeting Michelle Pfeiffer, so many iconic roles.”

Ed Skrein wondered if he may even be a little intimidated by Angelina. “I did wonder if I was going to be a little intimidated but thankfully I wasn't,” he said. “She is so welcoming and warm-hearted and generous with her energy, and so professional that we all just hit the ground running. It's just a joy and I suppose people may imagine that people like that would be closed off or seperate or less human than she is, but she's wonderful, she's a joy.”

This sentiment was echoed by Dickinson, who also felt pleasantly surprised by just how down to Earth his co-star was.

“I was very nervous but not because she makes you feel nervous but because I've grown up watching her, she's one of our best actors,” before he finished, “She has an incredible presence, she's impressive and that's empowering and intimidating, but she immediately squashed any perceptions and made me feel very comfortable and welcome.”

Maleficent: Mistress of Evil is released in cinemas on 18 October. Watch a clip below.