The next generation of Disney villains takes center stage in the Disney Channel original film “Descendants.” Starring Kristin Chenoweth as Maleficent (“Sleeping Beauty”), Kathy Najimy as Evil Queen (“Snow White”), Wendy Raquel Robinson as Cruella de Vil (“101 Dalmations”) and Maz Jobrani as Jafar (“Aladdin”), the question becomes whether evil is inherited or not.
In the first official trailer for the two-hour summer event, the kids of these classically evil villains seem almost… nice. Or at least no more troubled than you might expect any typical teenager to be.
The trailer features some fun scenery-chewing moments from both Chenoweth and Najimy, who are clearly taking their characters to their cartoon-inspired extremes. With parents like these, it’s a wonder the children seem as well-adjusted as they are. Except for poor Cruella’s son, Carlos (Cameron Boyce), who has some serious misconceptions about dogs.
In the world of “Descendants,” all of the classic Disney villains have been imprisoned on an island, which is where their children have grown up. With the son of Beauty and the Beast poised to take the throne, he offers their children a chance at redemption by attending a prep school alongside the descendants of Disney’s heroes.
“Descendants” was directed by Danny Ortega (“High School Musical”) and written by Josann McGibbon and Sara Parriott. Produced by Tracey Jeffrey and Judy Taylor, it is expected to air in the summer of 2015 on Disney Channel.