Descendants 2 Gets Green Light, Begins Production Summer 2016

You didn’t think this was the end of the story, did you?

Mal’s coy tease at the end of Disney Channel’s summer hit movie “Descendants” left everyone waiting anxiously for a sequel. Now, Disney Channel has officially greenlit the project. “Descendants 2” will begin production in the summer of 2016, with a release date sometime in 2017.

The villain kids officially chose goodness, but the movie promises plenty of conflict. “Just when you thought ‘Happily Ever After’ had come to the land of Auradon, ‘Descendants 2’ turns the page to reveal a whole new level of mystery and surprise,” said Gary Marsh, president and chief creative officer of Disney Channels Worldwide.

A follow-up to Melissa de la Cruz’s prequel novel Isle Of The Lost, “Descendants,” quickly found success. It was the No. 1 cable television movie of 2015 and the fifth highest-rated original movie ever on U.S. cable TV in total viewers.  It is also the No. 1 Disney Channel Original Movie ever among kids in France, Netherlands, Belgium (south), Portugal, South Africa, and Spain. In Italy, it is the No. 1 Disney Channel Original Movie ever among girls.

Melissa de la Cruz released a sequel to her original novel in May, titled “Return To The Isle Of The Lost.” The events of the book take place shortly after those of “Descendants.” In its first week of release, the book hit No. 2 on the NYT Best-Seller list. The first book, “The Isle of the Lost,” was No. 1 for 14 weeks.

Dove Cameron, Sofia Carson, Cameron Boyce, BooBoo Stewart and Mitchell Hope will all return to reprise their original roles. Also returning is Disney Channel veteran Kenny Ortega as director, executive producer and choreographer.

Joining the “Descendants 2” cast is China Anne McClain (“A.N.T. Farm”). McClain will play Uma, the daughter of Ursula from “The Little Mermaid.” Disney Channel will also be casting the offspring of popular villains Captain Hook and Gaston.