Last October, Disney made it official that a sequel to their summer hit, DESCENDANTS, was in-development for a 2017 release. Today comes word that all the pieces are in-place, and DESCENDANTS 2 has a greenlight to start production! “Just when you thought ‘Happily Ever After’ had come to the land of Auradon, ‘Descendants 2’ turns the page to reveal a whole new level of mystery and surprise,” said Gary Marsh, president and chief creative officer, Disney Channels Worldwide, alluding to the fact that DESCENDANTS 2 will bring the offspring of some additional classic baddies to life, with the children of Captain Hook, Ursula and Gaston set to arrive.
Emmy Award-winning director Kenny Ortega (“Descendants,” “High School Musical” movies, 2016’s “The Rocky Horror Picture Show”), who I had a chance to spend some time with last summer, will return as director, executive producer and choreographer.
On the casting front, Dove Cameron (“Liv and Maddie”), Cameron Boyce (“Gamer’s Guide to Pretty Much Everything,” “Jessie”), Booboo Stewart (“X-Men Days of Future Past”), Sofia Carson (“Adventures in Babysitting”) and Mitchell Hope will reprise their starring roles as Mal, Carlos, Jay, Evie and King Ben, respectively. China Anne McClain (“A.N.T. Farm”) will join the cast as Uma, the daughter of Ursula from “The Little Mermaid.” Casting will be announced soon for additional new characters including the progeny of villains Captain Hook and Gaston.
Lauded writers Sara Parriott and Josann McGibbon (“The Starter Wife,” “Runaway Bride”), who won a 2016 Writers Guild Award for “Descendants,” wrote “Descendants 2” and will also executive-produce with Wendy Japhet (“Descendants,” “An Education”, “The Italian Job”). “Descendants” costume designer Kara Saun (“Project Runway”) and production designer Mark Hofeling (“Teen Beach Movie,” “High School Musical”) are also signed on for the sequel. Tony Testa (“The Rocky Horror Picture Show,” “This Is It”) will join the creative team as choreographer with Ortega, and Shawn Williamson (“Adventures in Babysitting”) will join as producer.
I’m excited for DESCENDANTS 2, and I know The Rock Daughters will be as well… especially since we’ve probably funded a good portion of the consumer products division on DESCENDANTS items! Stay tuned for more news on this project very soon!
