Descendants 2
Descendants 2 is a 2017 American musical fantasy television film directed and executive produced by Kenny Ortega.[1] It serves as the sequel to the 2015 Disney Channel Original Movie Descendants and the second installment in the Descendants franchise, which reimagines the offspring of Disney villains and heroes in a modern setting.[1] The film premiered on July 21, 2017, simultaneously across Disney Channel, ABC, Disney XD, Freeform, Lifetime, and Lifetime Movies, drawing a record-breaking 13 million total TV viewers in its first airing.[2] The story centers on Mal (Dove Cameron), who struggles with the expectations of Auradon royalty and returns to the Isle of the Lost, where she encounters Uma (China Anne McClain), the ambitious daughter of Ursula leading a pirate crew.[3] Uma kidnaps King Ben (Mitchell Hope), Mal's boyfriend, forcing Mal and her friends—Evie (Sofia Carson), Jay (Booboo Stewart), and Carlos (Cameron Boyce)—to venture back to the Isle to rescue him amid escalating tensions between the two worlds.[3] Written by Josann McGibbon and Sara Parriott, the screenplay expands on themes of identity, friendship, and redemption through original songs, choreography, and visual effects highlighting the contrasting aesthetics of Auradon and the Isle.[1] Featuring a returning ensemble from the first film alongside new additions like McClain, Dylan Playfair as Gil (son of Gaston), and Cheyenne Jackson as King Beast, Descendants 2 emphasizes musical performances, including hits like "Ways to Be Wicked" and "What's My Name."[1] It is a Disney Channel Original Movie, filmed primarily in Vancouver, British Columbia, and contributed to the franchise's expansion into merchandise, soundtracks, and spin-off content.[1] The movie received positive reception for its energetic direction and empowering messages, earning an 83% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on critic reviews.[3]Story and characters
Plot
Six months after the events of the first film, Mal struggles to adjust to life in Auradon, where the pressure to conform as King Ben's girlfriend leads her to dye her hair blonde and suppress her roots from the Isle of the Lost.[4] Her magic becomes erratic during a tourney game, highlighting her internal conflict between her villainous heritage and her new royal existence.[5] Ben, seeking to extend opportunities beyond the original four villain kids, announces plans to invite additional VKs from the Isle to Auradon, which overwhelms Mal and prompts her to flee back to the Isle without informing her friends.[3] There, she reverts to her purple-haired self and encounters Uma, daughter of Ursula the Sea Witch, along with her crew members Harry Hook and Gil, who lead a rival pirate gang resentful of the original VKs' privileged escape.[1] Uma, now self-proclaimed queen of the Isle, captures Ben during a visit and demands the Fairy Godmother's wand in exchange, using a shell necklace to place him under a love spell that makes him loyal to her cause.[6] Evie, Jay, and Carlos journey to the Isle to retrieve Mal, forging uneasy alliances with locals like Dizzy Tremaine to navigate the dangers.[5] Mal initially resists returning but joins the effort to rescue Ben, concocting an antidote to Uma's love spell using ingredients gathered during a high-stakes market heist and boat chase. The group confronts Uma's pirates in a climactic battle at the barrier's edge, where Mal transforms into a dragon-like form to combat Uma's octopus powers, ultimately driving her rival back.[7] In the resolution, Ben appeals to Uma's sense of injustice, leading her to retreat without the wand, though she vows future retaliation. Mal and Ben reconcile at the Cotillion, with Mal embracing her dual identity by sporting half-blonde, half-purple hair. She surrenders her spellbook to the Fairy Godmother for safekeeping and decides to close the barrier temporarily until a safer way is found to integrate more VKs, while allowing Dizzy to join Auradon Prep as a first step.[5][6]Cast
Descendants 2 features a returning core cast portraying the teenage offspring of iconic Disney villains and heroes, alongside new additions who introduce rival characters from the Isle of the Lost. The film continues to explore these characters' dual identities, with Mal, for instance, grappling with her deepening romance with Ben amid tensions between Auradon and her villainous roots. The main cast includes:| Actor | Character | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Dove Cameron | Mal | Daughter of Maleficent, leader of the original villain kids now attending Auradon Prep.[8] |
| Cameron Boyce | Carlos de Vil | Son of Cruella de Vil, tech-savvy inventor and loyal friend.[8] |
| Sofia Carson | Evie | Daughter of the Evil Queen, aspiring fashion designer with a kind heart.[8] |
| Booboo Stewart | Jay | Son of Jafar, skilled athlete and former thief.[8] |
| Mitchell Hope | Ben (King Benjamin) | Son of Belle and the Beast, king of Auradon and Mal's boyfriend.[8] |
| Actor | Character | Description |
|---|---|---|
| China Anne McClain | Uma | Daughter of Ursula, fierce leader of a pirate crew on the Isle.[9] |
| Thomas Doherty | Harry Hook | Son of Captain Hook, swaggering pirate with a hook for a hand.[8] |
| Dylan Playfair | Gil | Son of Gaston, brawny but dim-witted member of Uma's crew.[8] |
| Anna Cathcart | Dizzy Tremaine | Daughter of Drizella, young hairstylist from the Isle seeking a fresh start.[8] |
- Melanie Paxson as Fairy Godmother, principal of Auradon Prep and Jane's mother.[8]
- Reese Alexander as Coach Jenkins, the enthusiastic Tourney coach at Auradon Prep.[8]
- Jedidiah Goodacre as Chad Charming, son of Cinderella, a pompous Auradon student.[8]
- Zachary Gibson as Doug, son of Dopey, Evie's nerdy but supportive friend.[8]
- Dianne Doan as Lonnie, daughter of Mulan and Li Shang, athletic and outspoken Auradon Prep student.[8]
- Bobby Moynihan as the voice of Dude, Carlos's intelligent talking dog who aids the group.[10]