Casting is underway for Disney's "Descendants," a contemporary live-action adventure-comedy that taps into Disney's heritage characters – notably its most evil villains – to introduce their progeny, a modern day generation of teenagers who ultimately question the evil that's always been in their hearts. Disney's "Descendants" is scheduled to begin production next spring for a 2015 premiere on Disney Channel.

Kenny Ortega, the Emmy Award-winning director and choreographer of Disney's record-setting "High School Musical" TV movies and feature film, returns to Disney Channel to direct "Descendants."


The casting directors are Natalie Hart and Jason La Padura, C.S.A. ("High School Musical" TV movies and film, "Camp Rock," "Teen Beach Movie").

Gary Marsh, president and chief creative officer, Disney Channels Worldwide, said, "We mined Disney's treasure trove of stories and developed a new, comedic approach to the fabled characters everyone knows and loves. The result is a modern and unexpected re-interpretation of classic heritage characters utilizing contemporary, relatable settings and themes."

In a present day idyllic kingdom, the benevolent teenaged son of the King and Queen (Beast and Belle from Disney's iconic "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 script was written by Josann McGibbon and Sara Parriott (creators and Emmy Award and WGA Award nominees for their writing on "The Starter Wife," also writers of "Runaway Bride" and on "Desperate Housewives"). The production design will be by Mark Hofeling ("Teen Beach Movie," "High School Musical"). The wardrobe design will be by Kara Saun ("Project Runway," "America's Best Dance Crew").

The Tony and Emmy winner will play the classic Sleeping Beauty villain in Descendants, Disney Channel’s first live-action original movie. 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.

Did Cruella de Vil’s son inherit her famous frosted locks? The first official cast photo for Disney Channel’s fairy tale-flavored Descendants answers that question and more.

In the TV-movie (slated for release in 2015), the teen son of beauty Belle and her Beastly husband is poised to take the throne of the idyllic kingdom Auradon when he tenders his first proclamation: to invite the descendants of banished villains to attend prep school alongside the progeny of iconic Disney heroes.

In the photo below, clockwise from bottom left, you have Dove Cameron (Liv & Maddie) as Maleficent’s daughter Mal; Booboo Stewart (X-Men: Days of Future Past) as Jafar’s son Jay; Cameron Boyce (Jessie) as Cruella’s kid Carlos; and newcomer Sofia Carson as the Evil Queen’s offspring Evie.



Playing the aforementioned adult baddies are Kristin Chenoweth (Wicked), Maz Jobrani (The Interpreter), Wendy Raquel Robinson (The Game) and Kathy Najimy (Hocus Pocus), respectively.
Rounding out the prep school scene are Belle and Beast’s son Ben (played by Aussie newcomer Mitchell Hope), Fairy Godmother’s daughter Jane (Brenna D’Amico), Dopey’s boy Doug (Zachary Gibson), Cinderella’s lad Chad (Jedidiah Goodacre), Sleeping Beauty’s spawn Audrey (Sarah Jeffery) and Mulan’s daughter Lonnie (Dianne Doan).