Hollywood actress visits Japan for the first time in five years with her two eldest children in tow.

Tokyo is no stranger to big Hollywood stars, with everyone from Tom Hanks and Keanu Reeves paying the city a visit for their promotional film tours. Last night, though, there was an extra special visitor in the capital, as Angeline Jolie graced us all with her presence for the premiere of Maleficent 2.

▼ Jolie sparkled on the red carpet in a couture metallic fringe flapper dress by Ralph & Russo.

The Disney film premiere attracted a lot of attention in Japan, with 1,100 fans gathering at the Roppongi Hills Arena to catch a glimpse of the star of the new film. And when Jolie arrived, she stepped out of a black vehicle with two of her children, 14-year-old Zahara and 18-year-old Maddox, who’s currently studying biochemistry at Yonsei University in South Korea.

After arriving with her children, Jolie spent at least half an hour signing autographs and posing for photos with fans, some of whom had dressed up as the black-horned Maleficent for the event.

Jolie wasn’t the only Maleficent star to appear at the premiere, as Japanese musician and actor Miyavi, who plays Udo in the film, was also there to greet fans.

▼ Miyavi looked dapper in his suit.

▼ Sam Riley, who plays Diaval, also came to Tokyo to greet adoring fans.

▼ The trio posed for photos at the start of the event…

While Jolie’s daughter Zahara sat supportively on the sidelines, waiting for her mother to step onto the Disney stage.

When Jolie did appear onstage, there was a dramatic flourish of lights, sounds, and smoke…

And then a glorious LED display of Maleficent appeared behind the actress, with a pair of broad wings flapping gently up and down for dramatic effect.

▼ Maleficent knows how to make an entrance.

The brilliant light display reminded us all that we were in the presence of Disney’s Maleficent, and the star of the film then stepped forward to give the crowd some words on the movie alongside her co-stars.

“We are all so thrilled to be here with you tonight. Thank you all for coming out. We are very excited to bring this film to you and we hope that you’ll enjoy it.”

Riley then addressed the crowd with a warm and enthusiastic “konban wa” (“good evening”), which garnered him cheers from the crowd. He thanked everyone for the warm welcome and said he hoped they would enjoy the film.

Miyavi then greeted the crowd in Japanese, saying how happy he was to attend the premiere, before asking everyone to get pumped for the movie.

Jolie then went on to discuss the character of Maleficent, saying:

“I think we all have someone like Maleficent; we are all like Maleficent. There is something wild in all of us, there is something that yearns to be free in all of us, and all of us have, at times in our life, been hurt, and felt lost and separated and different, and we choose to fight on and fight back and come together, and so I think that’s very much what the film is about, and what she represents; that part of you that’s wild and moves forward, no matter what people say, and no matter what life sends your way. “

Asked about what the film represents, she said:

“Family is not just made of blood. That we are strong in our diversity and that we are best when we come together and respect each other”

Jolie was then asked about where she’s been in Japan and her thoughts of Japan, to which she replied:

“Well, my first stop was Kiddy Land, but I love being here and it’s been far too long since I was last here and I will return very soon. I won’t let so much time go by next time.”

She then sent out a message to the crowd, saying:

▼ “To all the other Maleficents out there, sending you my love. You wear the horns well.”

It was then time to count down to the opening of the film, and when the trio counted down from three to one, Jolie gave everyone Maleficent’s signature “Well, well” as multicoloured confetti was fired into the arena.

▼ “Well, well.”

▼ The trio then came together to pose once more for the cameras…

Before being ushered off the stage, amidst cheers from the hundreds of fans who had come to support the film and its iconic stars.

▼ Maleficent 2 premieres in Japan on 18 October.

Hopefully Jolie will keep to her word and not make it so long between visits to Japan in future, particularly now that her son is studying at a university nearby.

And maybe next time she’ll endeavour to be as adventurous as her onscreen characters, and set out to explore some of the unknown regions outside of Tokyo just like Keanu Reeves did, when he nurtured his soul with a trip to the country’s art islands in September.

Photos © SoraNews24
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