Maleficent actress Angelina Jolie has revealed that she plans to take a break from acting. Jolie divulged the news last week at a press conference held in London for her upcoming Disney film. Jolie and her young Maleficent co-star Elle Fanning have been touring the world, promoting their film, which is due for release May 28.

angelina jolie maleficentAngelina Jolie, pictured with Maleficent co-star Elle Fanning, at a London photocall for the film

Fanning said of Jolie, “I do think no one else could have played Maleficent,” continuing to describe how she felt when she first met the actress, “Right away she became flesh, the name went away and she was just Angelina - she gave me a giant hug and said ‘We are going to have so much fun together’.”

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Angelina Jolie, who is also a UN ambassador, explained her decision to step back from her acting career, “It’s going to take more of a back seat…I’ve had a wonderful career…I’m sure there will be a few more films, but I am happy that I am able to be more selective and have fun with roles like this - but I would like to focus more on writing and directing and above all, I would like to focus more on my work with the UN and the PSVI.”

Jolie has been very vocal lately on her feelings regarding the kidnapping of over 200 schoolgirls in Nigeria, perhaps this has played a factor in her decision to focus more on her UN duties. Jolie was named a UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador back in 2001, after donating $1 million to a UNHCR emergency appeal, the largest contribution from an individual, and has been praised for her contributions and hard work over the years.

Discussing the kidnapping of the Nigerian schoolgirls at a premiere for Maleficent recently, Jolie explained, “These men thought that they can get away with this, that they could abuse them in such a way, sell them, rape them, take them as property, because so many people have gotten away with this in the past because of this culture of impunity.”

angelina jolie maleficentAngelina Jolie recently accompanied William Hague to Sarajevo on a humanitarin mission

Jolie has been one of the many celebrities who have used their status to raise awareness of the crisis, among others are Michelle Obama, Cara Delevingne and Alicia Keys.

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Next month, Jolie will be back in London to co-chair alongside Foreign Secretary William Hague at the Global Summit to End Sexual Violence in Conflict.

Watch the trailer for Angelina Jolie's upcoming film Maleficent: