Descendants: The Rise of Red
Promotional poster
Written by
  • Dan Frey
  • Russell Sommer
Directed byJennifer Phang
StarringKylie Cantrall
Malia Baker
China Anne McClain
Dara Reneé
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
Production
Executive producers
Production companies
Original release
NetworkDisney+

Descendants: The Rise of Red is an upcoming musical fantasy film directed by Jennifer Phang from a screenplay by Dan Frey and Russell Sommer. Produced by Disney Channel, the film is the fourth in the Descendants franchise, being a spin-off of the previous three films and a follow-up from Descendants: The Royal Wedding. The film is scheduled to debut on July 12, 2024 on Disney+ and August 9, 2024 on Disney Channel.[1][2][3]

Kylie Cantrall and Malia Baker star in the roles of Red (daughter of Queen of Hearts from Alice in Wonderland) and Chloe Charming (daughter of Cinderella and Prince Charming from Cinderella), respectively. China Anne McClain and Melanie Paxton reprise their roles of Uma and Fairy Godmother, respectively, from previous Descendants films. Cinderella and King Charming are played by Brandy and Paolo Montalban, who previously played versions of the characters in the 1997 television adaptation of Cinderella.

Synopsis

Uma, now headmistress of Auradon Prep, sends an invite to Princess Red, the rebellious daughter of the tyrannical Queen of Hearts from Wonderland. The Queen of Hearts has long held a grudge against Auradon, especially Cinderella, and seizes the opportunity to seek revenge when she drops her daughter off at school. When the Queen of Hearts incites a coup against Auradon, Red must team up with Cinderella's perfectionist daughter Chloe and travel back in time using a magical pocketwatch to try to undo the traumatic event that leads Red's mother down her villainous path.

Cast

See also: List of Descendants characters

Production

On August 18, 2021, following the release of the animated special Descendants: The Royal Wedding, Lauren Kisilevsky, Disney Branded Television's Senior Vice President of Original Movies, responded to questions regarding the special's cliffhanger by saying that "[t]he tease is a tease", and was added due to the Descendants films ending with hints at additional stories, and also said that "Disney Channel will see where [they] get with the franchise".[6]

On September 21, 2021, a fourth Descendants film was confirmed to be in development as part of an overall deal between Disney and former Disney Branded Television president Gary Marsh's production company.[7] By May 2022, the film was greenlight by Disney+ as a spin-off under the working title of The Pocketwatch. Jennifer Phang was hired as director and co-executive producer, with Dan Frey and Russell Sommer writing the screenplay and Marsh executive-producing.[8]

On March 21, 2023, the official title for the film was announced as Descendants: The Rise of Red.[9][10]

Filming

Filming for Descendants: The Rise of Red began in early January 2023 under its working title The Pocketwatch.[8] Mark Hofeling return from the original trilogy as production designer.[8] Phang said she wants the choreography during action sequences to still be able to tell an emotional story. For Wonderland's design, Phang used Alice in Wonderland (1951) as a reference while also drawing inspiration from her previous filmmaking experience.[11] Filming took place in Atlanta beginning at the end of January 2023 with plans to run through mid-March.[12][13]

Casting

The featured cast announced at the 2022 D23 Expo included China Anne McClain, who is returning to portray Uma, with Kylie Cantrall (as Red) and Dara Reneé (as Ulyana) joining the cast of the film.[14] In November 2022, casting announcement revealed that Brandy Norwood was returning as Cinderella after playing the role in the 1997 film Cinderella and Melanie Paxson returned to the franchise as the Fairy Godmother. New cast members to the franchise were Rita Ora as the Queen of Hearts as well as Malia Baker, Ruby Rose Turner, Morgan Dudley, and Joshua Colley.[15] After filming had begun, Jeremy Swift and Leonardo Nam were announced as cast additions in February 2023.[13] In March 2023, was announced that Paolo Montalban was cast as King Charming, who like Norwood, played a version of the character in the 1997 film Cinderella.[16] It was also announced in March 2023 that Alex Boniello was cast as the Jack of Diamonds.[4]

Visual effects

According to Phang, visual effects will be used to "enhance" the locations featured in the film.[11]

Soundtrack

Descendants: The Rise of Red is set to feature both 7 original songs and songs from animated Disney films.[8] The first single "What's My Name (Red Version)" was released on April 26, 2024, along with the pre-order of the soundtrack. The soundtrack will be released on July 12, 2024, to coincide with the film's release.[17] The second single "Red" was released on June 21, 2024.[18]

Prequel book

The novel Beyond the Isle of the Lost: Wonderland, fifth book in the series The Isle of the Lost, was published on May 7, 2024, serving as a prequel to the events of the film.[19]

Release

Descendants: The Rise of Red is set to release on Disney+ on July 12, 2024, followed by the Disney Channel premiere on August 9, 2024.[20]

References

  1. ^ Gibson, Kelsie (March 5, 2024). "China Anne McClain Says Returning for New Descendants Film Was Very 'Healing' — See the First Look (Exclusive)". People Magazine. Retrieved March 5, 2024.
  2. ^ Auradon Prep's Newest Principal ... UMA! ⚓️ | Descendants: The Rise of Red | @DisneyDescendants on YouTube
  3. ^ Hailu, Selome (April 2, 2024). "Descendants: The Rise of Red Teaser Introduces the Queen of Hearts' Rebellious Daughter and Reveals Summer Premiere Date". Variety. Retrieved April 2, 2024.
  4. ^ a b Lynette, Rice (March 24, 2023). "Descendants: The Rise of Red At Disney+ Casts Alex Boniello As Jack Of Diamonds". Deadline.
  5. ^ @DisneyPlus (February 15, 2023). "Sam Morelos is Teen Rapunzel, aka Zellie". Twitter.
  6. ^ ''Descendants'': Disney Channel SVP Addresses ''Royal Wedding'' Cliffhanger
  7. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (September 21, 2021). "Gary Marsh Exiting As Head Of Disney Branded TV To Launch Disney-Backed Company With 'Peter Pan' & 'Witch Mountain' Offshoots, More 'Descendants'". Deadline.
  8. ^ a b c d Petski, Denise (May 10, 2022). "Descendants Sequel The Pocketwatch Movie Greenlighted By Disney+; Jennifer Phang To Direct". Deadline. Retrieved May 10, 2022.
  9. ^ "Descendants 4 Gets an Official Title Descendants: The Rise of Red". Laughing Place. March 22, 2023.
  10. ^ Descendants [@descendants] (March 21, 2023). "You heard it here first — the next #DisneyDescendants movie is titled Descendants: The Rise of Red ❤" (Tweet). Retrieved April 13, 2024 – via Twitter.
  11. ^ a b "Jennifer Phang Interview: The Flight Attendant & Disney's The Pocketwatch". ScreenRant. 2022-06-07. Retrieved 2022-07-17.
  12. ^ Rajput, Priyanca (January 4, 2023). "Disney's Descendants 4: The Pocketwatch to film in Atlanta, Georgia". KFTV.com.
  13. ^ a b Petski, Denise (February 2, 2023). "Descendants Sequel The Pocketwatch Disney+ Movie Adds Jeremy Swift & Leonardo Nam To Cast". Deadline Hollywood. Penske Media Corporation.
  14. ^ "Disney Branded Television Presents Upcoming Slate of Films and Series at D23 Expo 2022" (Press release). Disney Branded Television. September 11, 2022. Retrieved September 11, 2022.
  15. ^ Petski, Denise (November 21, 2022). "Brandy & Rita Ora Among 7 Cast In Descendants Sequel The Pocketwatch At Disney+". Deadline Hollywood. Penske Media Corporation.
  16. ^ Swift, Andy (March 22, 2023). "Descendants: The Rise of Red Adds Paolo Montalban, Staging Cinderella Reunion With Brandy Norwood". TVLine.
  17. ^ "China Anne McClain & Kylie Cantrall Perform "What's My Name (Red Version)" From Descendants: The Rise Of Red Soundtrack In New Music Video". Disney Plus Press. Retrieved April 26, 2024.
  18. ^ Atkinson, Katie (June 21, 2024). "Queen of Hearts' Daughter Caught 'Red'-Handed in Fiery New Music Video From Descendants: The Rise of Red". Billboard. Retrieved June 21, 2024.
  19. ^ Descendants [@descendants] (August 28, 2023). "COVER REVEAL ALERT! Fall down the rabbit hole with a brand-new prequel adventure in the best-selling Descendants book series by Melissa de la Cruz, out May 7, 2024" (Tweet). Retrieved October 2, 2023 – via Twitter.
  20. ^ Swift, Andy (April 2, 2024). "Descendants: The Rise of Red Sets Disney+ Release Date; New Characters Revealed in Teaser Trailer". TVLine. Retrieved April 2, 2024.

External links

Descendants franchise
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