Disney Channel Orders "Descendants" Original Movie

[Sawyer]

http://www.deadline.com/2013/12/dis...sic-disney-characters-kenny-ortega-to-direct/

Disney Channel Greenlights Original Movie Featuring Offspring Of Classic Disney Characters, Kenny Ortega To Direct
By NELLIE ANDREEVA

EXCLUSIVE: Meet the offspring of Cruella De Vil, Maleficent, the Evil Queen and Jafar. Disney Channel has ordered to production Descendants, its first live-action original movie tapping into Disney’s vault of classic fairytale characters. Directed by High School Musical helmer and choreographer Kenny Ortega in his return to Disney Channel, the contemporary live-action adventure-comedy revolves around the progeny of some of Disney’s most evil classic villains, introducing a modern day generation of teenagers who question the evil that’s always been in their hearts. Casting is currently underway, overseen by High School Musical casting directors Natalie Hart and Jason La Padura, with production slated to begin in the spring for a 2015 premiere on Disney Channel. “We mined Disney’s treasure trove of stories and developed a new, comedic approach to the fabled characters everyone knows and loves,” said Gary Marsh, president and chief creative officer, Disney Channels Worldwide. “The result is a modern and unexpected re-interpretation of classic heritage characters utilizing contemporary, relatable settings and themes.”

Written by Josann McGibbon and Sara Parriott (The Starter Wife, Runaway Bride), Descendants is set in a present day idyllic kingdom, where the benevolent teenaged son of the King and Queen (Beast and Belle from Disney’s Beauty And The Beast) is poised to take the throne. His first proclamation: offer a chance at redemption to the trouble-making offspring of Cruella De Vil, Maleficent, the Evil Queen and Jafar who have been imprisoned on a forbidden island with all the other villains, sidekicks, evil step-mothers and step-sisters. These villainous descendants (Carlos, Mal, Evvie and Jay, respectively) are allowed into the kingdom to attend prep school alongside the offspring of iconic Disney heroes including Fairy Godmother, Sleeping Beauty, Rapunzel and Mulan. However, the evil teens face a dilemma. Should they follow in their nefarious parents’ footsteps and help all the villains regain power or embrace their innate goodness and save the kingdom? The production design for the movie will be done by another High School Musical alum Mark Hofeling. The wardrobe design will be by Kara Saun (Project Runway). Disney Channel’s original movie franchise has produced five of the Top 6 movies in cable TV history, led by the blockbuster High School Musical franchise.

This has potential (and enough High School Musical alumni) to be quite terrible, but God help me, I'm going to have to see for myself.

 

[Donnie Darko]

I'm sure I'll watch it, even though it might be terrible. I actually don't think High School Musical is that bad.

 

[John Locke]

I thought it was a remake of the George Clooney movie. I'm really glad it's not.

 

[SuperBatman]

Live Action? Ugh IDK about this story might be better than animated form

 

[PyroChamber]

Well, as least there's no singing.

 

[X Knight]

so.....is this a TV movie?

a series?

idk........this could be either really interesting.......or really bad.

I'd rather have them do a show with modern day "high school" versions of the princesses and classic characters..............not their children.

 

[Primal Slayer]

Sounds interesting enough. They should throw Aries daughter in the since she actually had an offspring.

And I know it won't happen but it would be fun if they used the Once actors.

 

[jacobed]

Sounds like a fun idea

 

[Sawyer]

This certainly does seem like it could be a pilot rather than just a one-off (unless there are sequels) movie. It could be like Disney Channel's Once Upon a Time for the younger age group.

And here's the logo...

 

[ThePowerCosmic]

F**k me, I'm actually mildly excited about this. Hopefully Disney Channel is actually trying to get back to the greatness of the 90's-early 00's.

 

[Schlosser85]

This could be interesting....or absolutely terrible.

 

[X Knight]

F**k me, I'm actually mildly excited about this. Hopefully Disney Channel is actually trying to get back to the greatness of the 90's-early 00's.

I wonder what kind of kid Rapunzel and Flynn will have?? t:

And you can bet Mulan's kid is gonna be into martial arts or something.........

 

[Asgard]

Better be a gb at the end.

 

[Lencho01]

The description makes it sounds kind of dumb.

 

[PyroChamber]

So Cruella De Vil's kid is a boy, does this mean they'll make him be flamboyant?

 

[Warhammer]

Sounds interesting. I haven't legitimately been excited for a DCOM since You Wish with AJ Trauth.

Oh wait, I was excited for the Johnny Tsunami sequel...and it sucked complete ass.

 

[Sawyer]

http://family-room.ew.com/2013/12/1...meron-as-maleficents-daughter-in-descendants/

First role cast. No clue who this actress is.

 

[Sawyer]

Belle and the Beast's son cast.

 

[Sawyer]

http://www.deadline.com/2014/05/kri...llainous-role-in-disney-channels-descendants/

Kristin Chenoweth To Play Maleficent In Disney Channel’s ‘Descendants’
By THE DEADLINE TEAM

The Tony and Emmy winner will play the classic Sleeping Beauty villain in Disney Channel’s live-action original movie Descendants. Kristin Chenoweth (Rio 2, Glee) will embody Maleficent, who butts horns with her daughter Mal (Dove Cameron). Directed by Kenny Ortega, the tale is set in a present-day idyllic kingdom where the benevolent teenaged son of the King and Queen (Beast and Belle from Disney’s Beauty And The Beast) is poised to take the throne. His first proclamation: offer a chance at redemption to the trouble-making offspring of Maleficent, Cruella De Vil, the Evil Queen and Jafar who have been imprisoned on a forbidden island with all the other villains, sidekicks, evil step-mothers and step-sisters. The cast also includes Booboo Stewart, Sofia Carson, Cameron Boyce and Mitchell Hope. Written by Josann McGibbon and Sara Parriott, the pic is set to begin production next month for a 2015 premiere.

 

[Sawyer]

http://tvline.com/2014/05/23/descendants-cast-evil-queen-cruella-jafar-disney-channel-movie/

Disney Channel's Descendants Casts Evil Queen, Cruella, Jafar and Fairy Godmother
BY ANDY SWIFT

The gnarled family trees of Descendants – Disney Channel’s upcoming movie about the children of classic villains — have sprouted several new branches with the additions of Kathy Najimy (Veep), Wendy Raquel Robinson (The Game) and two others, TVLine has learned.

Najimy will play Snow White‘s Evil Queen, the mother of Evie (Sofia Carson), while Robinson will play Cruella de Vil, the mother of Carlos (Jessie‘s Cameron Boyce).

In addition to Najimy and Robinson…

* Maz Jobrani (Better Off Ted) will play Jafar, father of Jay (Booboo Stewart, Good Luck Charlie).

* Melanie Paxson (American Dad) will play the Fairy Godmother, mom of Jane (Brenna D’Amico).

These newcomers join Glee‘s Kristin Chenoweth, previously announced as Descendants‘ Maleficent, mother of Mal (Liv and Maddie‘s Dove Cameron).

Kathy Najimy.

 

[Lencho01]

First pic of the kids... and Dopey has a son?!

http://www.slashfilm.com/first-look-descendants-cast/

 

[Sawyer]

They must be the children of villains.... JUST LOOK AT THEIR HAIR COLOR!

 

[Donut]

I think I will stick to Once Upon A Time

 

[Sithborg]

Cruella obviously let her son play too much Final Fantasy.

 

[PyroChamber]

Well...the girls are kinda hot.