Last May, the exciting news was announced that the popular Descendants franchise would be getting a spin-off film on Disney+. Now, fans are getting even more exciting news as seven names have been added to the cast. Among the new additions are Brandy and Rita Ora!
The Descendants franchise was a trilogy of musicals on the Disney Channel about a group of children of notorious Disney villains who are given a chance to leave their home on the Isle of the Lost, where all villains are banished to, and attend a school of the children of Disney heroes in the kingdom of Auradon. The trilogy follows the kids as they reject the villainous ways of their parents to forge a new path for themselves. The Pocketwatch will focus on new characters as a new threat emerges. The spin-off will follow Red, the daughter of the Queen of Hearts from Alice in Wonderland, and Chloe, the daughter of Cinderella and Prince Charming, as they use a magic pocket watch to travel back in time to prevent a coup in Auradon.
In the movie, Brandy will be playing Cinderella. This casting will see the singer and actress reprising her starring role in 1997’s Rodgers & Hammerstein's Cinderella. An adaptation of the classic fairy tale that has only grown in popularity and significance since it first premiered. Additionally, singer Ora will be playing the Queen of Hearts.
Also announced to be joining the cast alongside Brandy and Ora are Malia Baker, Ruby Rose Turner, Morgan Dudley, Joshua Colley, and Melanie Paxson. They are all joining the previously announced cast of They join previously announced cast members China Anne McClain, Kylie Cantrall, and Dara Reneé.
Paxson and McClain will be reprising their roles from the original trilogy as the Fairy God Mother and Uma, daughter of Ursula, respectively. Cantrall and Baker will be starring in the spin-off as the two at the center of the story. Cantrall will play Red, the rebellious daughter of the Queen of Hearts who is always getting into trouble, while Baker is playing Chloe, the smart and cheerful daughter of Cinderella who quickly learns that she has a lot to learn when it comes to the real world. Additionally, Reneé will be playing another daughter of Ursula with Colley playing one for her lackeys. Turner and Dudley will be playing the young versions of the Queen of Hearts and Cinderella, respectively.
The Pocketwatch is written by Dan Frey and Russell Sommer, the writing pair behind Netflix’s upcoming Magic: The Gathering series. Jennifer Phang will be directing and executive producing the spin-off. Her other credits include episodes of hit series like Stargirl, Foundation, and The Flight Attendant.