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Disney Unveils Exciting New ‘Descendants’ Movie with a Fresh Cast of Characters!

Disney fans, get ready! The popular Descendants franchise is making a grand return with a brand-new movie, Descendants 5, which will introduce multiple new characters and explore new realms within the beloved Disney universe.

Following the release of Descendants: The Rise of Red (2024), which brought the story of Red and Chloe to the time-traveling world of Alice in Wonderland, this next chapter promises to offer fresh adventures, familiar faces, and plenty of surprises.

Red and Chloe in Descendants The Rise of Red
Credit: Disney

The Continuing Saga of the Descendants Franchise

For those who have followed the Descendants series from the beginning, it’s been a wild ride. The original films focused on the children of Disney’s iconic villains, such as Mal (daughter of Maleficent), Evie (daughter of the Evil Queen), Jay (son of Jafar), and Carlos (son of Cruella de Vil). They grew up on the Isle of the Lost, where the defeated villains were banished.

But when they were given a chance to attend school in Auradon, a kingdom ruled by Belle and the Beast, the children of villains were faced with the possibility of redemption — or perhaps more thrillingly, revenge.

The first three Descendants movies, full of catchy songs and vibrant dance numbers, quickly became fan favorites.

Disney Descendants
Credit: Disney

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However, the tragic passing of Cameron Boyce in 2019, who portrayed Carlos, left many wondering what the future held for the franchise. While an animated short film was released after his death, many fans feared that would mark the end of the Descendants saga.

But in 2024, Disney surprised everyone with a new direction for the franchise. Descendants: The Rise of Red paired up Chloe, the daughter of Cinderella, and Red, the daughter of the Queen of Hearts. The two teens embark on a time-traveling journey to prevent the Queen of Hearts from becoming the villain we all know too well.

The Queen of Hearts and Cinderella in Descendants The Rise of Red
Credit: Disney

This film was a shift from the previous Descendants installments, offering a unique twist on the well-known concept of villainy and legacy.

What’s Next in Descendants 5?

Now, Disney has announced Descendants 5, and the excitement is palpable! The new movie will pick up right after the events of The Rise of Red. It will explore what “happily ever after” really means for Red and Chloe after their time-traveling escapades.

But there’s more—the story will take place in present-day Wonderland, and will introduce some of the most iconic characters from Alice in Wonderland (1951).

Descendants The Rise of Red
Credit: Disney

As the plot unfolds in the magical land of Wonderland, Descendants 5 will feature a handful of new faces. According to a report from Variety, the cast will include:

  • Liamani Segura as Red’s sister, Pink
  • Brendon Tremblay as Max Hatter, the son of the Mad Hatter
  • Alexandro Byrd as Luis Madrigal, the son of Luisa Madrigal from Encanto
  • Kiara Romero as Hazel Hook, the daughter of Captain Hook

Fans will also see the return of Leonardo Nam as Maddox Hatter, the Mad Hatter’s son, from Descendants: The Rise of Red. And of course, more characters will be revealed as casting progresses.

Chloe and Red in Descendants Rise of Red
Credit: Disney

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New Faces and New Stories

The fresh additions to the Descendants universe don’t stop there. Disney has also confirmed the casting of characters tied to new, beloved Disney stories. Descendants 5 will bring in Alexandro Byrd as Luis Madrigal, the son of Encanto’s Luisa Madrigal, and Kiara Romero will portray Captain Hook’s daughter, Hazel Hook.

While Hazel’s appearance is a thrilling twist, there’s still uncertainty about whether Harry Hook, son of the infamous Captain Hook, will make an appearance in the film.

Harry Hook in Descendants
Credit: Disney

Also, noteworthy is the casting of Ryan McEwen and Dayton Paradis, who will play the twin sons of Mr. Smee — Squeaky and Squirmy — characters introduced in Descendants 3. Fans are eagerly awaiting to see how these characters will be woven into the ongoing Descendants saga.

And for those wondering about the future of the villainous side of things, there’s a twist: Descendants 5 will introduce Joel Oulette as Robbie, Robin Hood’s son. But unlike his heroic father, Robbie has his own path and appears to be more interested in embracing villainy than robbing from the rich to give to the poor.

Bringing the Magic Back to Auradon

As exciting as these new characters are, Descendants 5 will also bring back familiar faces. Kylie Cantrall will reprise her role as Red, while Malia Baker returns as Chloe.

Descendants The Rise of Red (2024)
Credit: Disney

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These characters are key to the emotional arc of the film as they reflect on their time-traveling adventures and what it means to truly escape the legacies of their infamous parents.

Additionally, Leonardo Nam returns as Maddox Hatter, further tying the story to the Alice in Wonderland universe. The continuity of characters from the previous films is something fans are sure to appreciate, especially as the new film explores how these young heroes and antiheroes are coming to terms with their roles in the world of Auradon.

Maddox Hatter and Red in Descendants Rise of Red
Credit: Disney

A Star-Studded Cast and Behind-the-Scenes Talent

The upcoming movie is written by Tamara Chestna and directed by Kimmy Gatewood, both of whom bring their expertise and vision to this exciting continuation of the Descendants legacy. Their collaboration promises to bring a fresh, dynamic energy to the screen that will resonate with both new and returning fans alike.

With the combination of classic Disney elements, such as the time-traveling adventure and the addition of Alice in Wonderland characters, Descendants 5 is shaping up to be a truly magical experience. The film is slated for release in 2026, and while we still have some time to wait, the anticipation is already building.

Are you excited for Descendants 5? What characters are you most looking forward to seeing on screen? Let us know in the comments!

Krysten Swensen

A born and bred New England girl living the Disney life in Southern California. I love to read, to watch The Golden Girls, and love everything to do with Disney and Universal. I also love to share daily doses of Disney on my Disney Instagram @BrazzleDazzleDisney!

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