Disney expands Descendants universe with spin-off movie about sidekicks

Descendants: Wicked Wonderland is the top movie on Disney+ globally

Disney Channel and Disney+ have greenlit a film set in the Descendants universe following the recent launch of Descendants: Wicked Wonderland.

Hidden Heroes: A Descendants Story will follow the descendants of sidekicks from classic Disney hits Beauty & the Beast, Aladdin, Sleeping Beauty and The Emperor’s New Groove.

Dior Goodjohn, Momona Tamada, Jacob Rodriguez, Eva Fossaceca Smedley and Harry Jones will star in the music-driven movie, which is directed by Jude Weng (Only Murders in the Building) and written by Tamara Chestna, Eydie Faye and Emma Fletcher.

Mark Ordesky and Jane Fleming are executive producers, alongside Gary Marsh and Chestna, who executive produced Descendants: Wicked Wonderland.

Louise Hradsky and Jeffrey Mortensen are the choreographers. The movie is produced by Disney Kids & Family, which up until a recent rebrand was known as Disney Branded Television.

It comes as Descendants: Wicked Wonderland ranks as the number one movie on Disney+ globally, based on views between July 17 and 27.

The first Descendants movie premiered on Disney Channel in 2015 and has spawned two sequels and three spin-offs, plus three animated series, multiple short films and two TV specials.

Ayo Davis, president of Disney Kids & Family, said: “With Hidden Heroes, we’re finally putting the sidekicks centre stage, because they’ve always been an essential part of Disney’s greatest adventures. It’s a fun, surprising new chapter that expands the Descendants universe with all the music, dance and heart fans love and expect from the franchise.”