Have you ever wondered what kind of kids Jafar, Maleficent, or the Evil Queen might have raised? Wonder no more as the Disney Channel just announced a contemporary, live-action adventure-comedy that answers that question.
The original movie – slated for release in 2015 – is aptly title Descendants and it taps into Disney’s “heritage characters,” the kids of the most evil villains.
The movie is set in the present day in an “idyllic kingdom” ruled by Belle and Beast. Their teenaged son is poised to take the throne and his first royal proclamation offers a chance at redemption to the children of Cruella De Vil, Maleficent, the Evil Queen, and Jafar.
Those villains are imprisoned on a forbidden island with all the other villains, sidekicks, and evil step-mothers and step-sisters. The kids (named Carlos, Mal, Evvie, and Jay) are allowed to attend prep school in the kingdom alongside the offspring of Fairy Godmother, Sleeping Beauty, Rapunzel, and Mulan. But the evil teens have a dilemma – should they follow in their parents’ evil footsteps or embrace goodness and save the kingdom?
This original movie will be directed by Emmy Award-winning director and choreographer Kenny Ortega (High School Musical).
“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.”
Production is scheduled to begin in the spring of 2014 on Descendants.
