What happens when some of Disney’s most iconic animated characters have children? The result is “Descendants,” an upcoming Disney Channel original movie.
The synopsis: “A present-day idyllic kingdom where the benevolent teenage son of King Beast and Queen Belle offers a chance at redemption for the troublemaking offspring” of some of Disney’s most notorious villains.
My first reaction to this is: they’re calling him King Beast? I’ve never belonged to the camp that insists upon calling him Prince Adam (which makes me think of “He-Man,”) but I certainly hope they’re not going to call him King Beast in the film.
“Descendants” is directed by Kenny Ortega (“Newsies,” “Hocus Pocus,” “High School Musical”). With those film credits and the original Glinda from Broadway’s “Wicked” Kristen Chenoworth as Maleficent, will there be singing and dancing? This isn’t being marketed as a musical, but I wouldn’t be surprised by at least a finale number.
Here’s a first look at Chenoweth as Maleficent:
“In the photo at hand, Maleficent is scolding her daughter Mal (Cameron) for not reaching her evil potential, while the Evil Queen’s daughter Evie (Sofia Carson), Cruella de Vil’s son Carlos (Cameron Boyce), and Jafar’s son Jay (Booboo Stewart) look on.”
Is it just me, or does her costume remind you of Rita Repulsa from “Mighty Morphin Power Rangers?” I don’t think I’m imagining the similarities, from the shape of the dress up to the horns on her head. Of course, there’s the nod to the original animated Maleficent from “Sleeping Beauty,” but I really see more of Rita in it.
And the photo of the villains’ kids? I don’t even know where to begin. One can certainly see Cruella’s son inherited her fashion sense and white hair. And where are their other parents? Unless they were born from midichlorians, they have to have another parent somewhere, right?
Honestly, I think there’s enough potential material for a series as opposed to a movie. We see the villains’ children here, but there’s also the son of Belle and the Beast and other “good” children. All of the descendants will have to learn to get along as they attend school together. It could be a lot of fun to watch or ridiculously cheesy. Or both.
We’ll have to wait a bit, though, since “Descendents” is scheduled to premiere on the Disney Channel in 2015.