According to Deadline, Disney officially announced the latest "Descendants" movie update via President and Chief Creative Officer Gary Marsh of Disney Channels Worldwide. It was also reported that Emmy Award-nominated Josann McGibbon and Sara Parriott will return as screenwriters and executive producers for the slated movie sequel. The movie was directed by the award-winning director of the "Highschool Musical" franchise, Kenny Ortega.
"By almost every measure - domestically and globally - Descendants has already become one of the biggest entertainment properties of the year and we're eager to delve deeper into the unfolding mythology of Auradon and Isle of the Lost," Marsh said.
"This kind of compelling, innovative storytelling, alongside the animated 'Descendants: Wicked World' shorts and unique transmedia campaign, continues to lay the groundwork for multiple franchise opportunities across virtually every line of business at The Walt Disney Company," Marsh added.
The news came after the success of the first "Descendants" movie during its premiere last July 31, 2015. The outlet also reported that the Disney film was seen by more than 12.2 million U.S. viewers with 3.1 million people included in the 18-49 age bracket, as well as millions worldwide. This feat made "Descendants" the fifth highest-rated movie and the No. 1 TV movie in three years from Disney Channel.
"Descendants" continued its success with the follow up short animated series entitled "Descendants: Wicked World." The digital short, which was also uploaded on Youtube, currently has been viewed for more than 10 million times to date. The hit Disney franchise also launched its own mobile game, a karaoke app, and a successful soundtrack.
The "Descendants" movie revolves around the adventure of the four offsprings of Disney villains Maleficent, Cruella de Vil, Jafar, the Evil Queen, and Jafar. Mal (Dove Cameron), Evie (Sofia Carson), Jay (Booboo Stewart) and Carlos (Cameron Boyce) now try to balance the line between good and evil while they adjust with high school life in Auradon Prep.
Aside from the mentioned Disney stars, they are joined by award-winning thespian Kristin Chenoweth, Wendy Raquel Robinson, Maz Jobrani, Kathy Najimy, Mitchell Hope, Melanie Paxson, Brenna D'Amico, Sarah Jeffery, Zachary Gibson, Jedidiah Goodacre and Dianne Doan.
The "Descendants" movie will return with its sequel in the summer of 2017 on Disney Channel.
