Disney’s ‘Descendants’ Movie Portrays Children of Famous Characters

No, it’s not a remake of George Clooney‘s Hawaii-set family drama. But it does have a lot to do with family. The Disney Channel original movie, Descendants, tells the tale of what would happen if the teenage children of famous Disney cartoon characters all went to the same high school. What a cool concept!

The story centers on a prep school attended by the children of classic Disney characters, including Cruella de Vil (101 Dalmations), Jafar (Aladdin), The Evil Queen (Snow White), and Maleficent (Sleeping Beauty). Maleficent herself will be played by none other than Broadway and television superstar Kristin Chenoweth.

The musical adventure is directed by Kenny Ortega, who’s stellar Disney directing resume includes all the High School Musical movies and the Halloween classic Hocus Pocus. He was also the director of the Michael Jackson documentary This is It that famously documented the last months of the legendary performer’s life.

In addition to featuring the children of Disney’s famous Big Bads, the fun film will also feature the offspring of classic Disney do-gooders, including Mulan and Sleeping Beauty. Frequent Ortega collaborator Kathy Najimy (Hocus Pocus) will play The Evil Queen.

Ortega told Entertainment Weekly, “Her Evil Queen is so special and so hilarious, and the work [Najimy] does with Kristin is just top form.” In regards to Chenoweth’s Maleficent, the director explained, “Maleficent’s essentially saying [to her onscreen daughter], ‘When I was your age, I was already ruling the world and you’re wasting your talents stealing candy from a baby.”

Maleficent’s daughter, Mal, is played by Liv and Maddie star Dove Cameron. Newcomer Sofia Carson plays Evie, the daughter of the Najimy’s Evil Queen while Cameron Boyce, star of Disney’s Jessie, plays Cruella’s son, Carlos. Booboo Stewart is Jay, Jafar’s son. Stewart was recently seen in X-Men: Days of Future Past and also the Twilight films.

Descendants is slated to premiere on the Disney Channel in 2015.

(Photo by Christopher Polk/Getty Images for NARAS)