“Hidden Heroes: A Descendants Story” Coming Soon To Disney+

Following the success of the recent “Descendants” movie, “Wicked Wonderland”, Disney has announced that it has greenlit a brand new instalment in the popular franchise, called “Hidden Heroes: A Descendants Story”, which will be coming soon to Disney+ and the Disney Channel.

This new film is centred on the journey of the unsung heroes behind Disney’s greatest adventures — the sidekicks from movies such as ‘Beauty and the Beast,’ ‘Aladdin,’ ‘Sleeping Beauty’ and ‘The Emperor’s New Groove’.

Hidden in the centre of each fairy tale is a portal to a secret training facility where the descendants of legendary sidekicks are challenged to join the elite ranks of partners to heroes. When a villainous duo comes to Sidekick Academy, a group of fresh recruits must band together — without heroes, without parents — using only their new skills to save the fairytale realm before it’s too late.

Production on the film begins next week, so hopefully we will see it arrive on Disney+ and the Disney Channel in 2027.

The lead cast includes the following:

• Dior Goodjohn (“Percy Jackson and the Olympians,” “Poser”) as Jennie, the daughter of Genie from “Aladdin” 
• Momona Tamada (“The Baby-Sitters Club”) as Zara, the daughter of Yzma from “The Emperor’s New Groove” 
• Jacob Rodriguez (“Tell Me Lies”) as Kronk Jr., the son of Kronk from “The Emperor’s New Groove” 
• Eva Fossaceca Smedley (“Welcome to Flatch”) as Meri, the daughter of Merryweather from “Sleeping Beauty”
• Harry Jones (“Bury Your Nephew”) as Lou, the son of Lumiere from “Beauty and the Beast”

Also joining the cast are Rhys Dawkins, Connor Wong and Kyra Wong as the Potts Siblings (from “Beauty and the Beast”).

Directed by Jude Weng (“Only Murders in the Building,” “Finding ‘Ohana”), the script was written by Tamara Chestna, Eydie Faye and Emma Fletcher. Mark Ordesky (“ZOMBIES 4: Dawn of the Vampires”) and Jane Fleming (“ZOMBIES 4: Dawn of the Vampires”) 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. 

Ayo Davis, president, Disney Kids & Family, said in a statement regarding the new film:

“One of the things that has always made ‘Descendants’ so special is the way it invites audiences to experience familiar Disney stories through an entirely new perspective.  With ‘Hidden Heroes,’ we’re finally putting the sidekicks center 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.”

Over the years, the “Descendants” franchise has become a juggernaut for Disney+, with the latest film being the most-watched film on Disney+ that week, while the franchise has pulled in over 1 billion hours of viewing across linear and streaming in the US. 

While we wait for the new film, the previous “Descendants” films and “The Descendants/ZOMBIES Worlds Collide: Concert Special” are now streaming on Disney+ and can be found in the “Descendants” Collection. 

Roger’s Take: It’s great to see Disney is continuing this franchise, as it seems to have found a natural spot within the fan base. It is also a franchise that needs to keep finding younger talent to keep it appealing to younger audiences.  

What do you think about a brand new “Descendants” film being released?  Let me know on social media!