Disney is taking a modern twist on some of their most loved villians like Cruella De Vil, Maleficent, the Evil Queen and Jafar.
According to Deadline, the Disney Channel put to order Descendants, a first live-action original movie for the network. It will tap into the vault of classic fairytale characters. Kenny Ortega, director and choreographer of the High School Musical trilogy, will return to take on a modern adventure-comedy that revolves around Disney’s most evil villains.
“We mined Disney’s treasure trove of stories and developed a new, comedic approach to the fabled characters everyone knows and loves,” President and Chief Creative Officer of Disney Channels Worldwide Gary Marsh said. “The result is a modern and unexpected re-interpretation of classic heritage characters utilizing contemporary, relatable settings and themes.”
Casting has begun with hopes of filming in the spring for a 2015 premiere on the Disney Channel. High School Musical casting directors Natalie Hart and Jason La Padura are overseeing the casting of the movie.
Josann McGibbon and Sara Parriott (The Starter Wife, Runaway Bride) wrote Descendants, a film set in the present where the teenage son of the King and Queen (Beast and Belle from Beauty And The Beast) is set to take the throne. The film follows the descendents of the evil villains as they are allowed to attend prep school in the kingdom with some iconic Disney heroes. They will be given a chance at redemption and must decide whether to assume their parent’s role or not.
Mark Hofeling (High School Musical) will oversee production design and Kara Saun (Project Runway) will oversee wardrobe design. Five of the top six cable TV movies in history have come from Disney Channel original movies led by High School Musical.