Descendants 3
Descendants 3 is a 2019 American musical teen fantasy television film directed by Kenny Ortega and serving as the third and final film in the original Descendants trilogy, following the children of Disney villains as they navigate life between the Isle of the Lost and the kingdom of Auradon.[1] The film premiered on Disney Channel on August 2, 2019, drawing 8.43 million total viewers in live-plus-three-day measurements, the highest-rated telecast among kids and tweens in two years.[2] In the story, Mal (Dove Cameron), Evie (Sofia Carson), Jay (Booboo Stewart), and Carlos (Cameron Boyce) return to the Isle of the Lost to recruit more villain kids for Auradon Prep, but a barrier breach prompts Mal to consider sealing it permanently to prevent threats like Uma (China Anne McClain).[1] Meanwhile, Audrey (Sarah Jeffery), seeking revenge on Mal for taking her boyfriend King Ben (Mitchell Hope), steals a powerful scepter and unleashes dark magic that turns Auradon's residents to stone, forcing an unlikely alliance between Mal and Uma to restore peace.[1] The ensemble cast includes returning stars alongside newcomers such as Cheyenne Jackson as Hades, Jadah Marie as Celia Facilier, and Jamal Sims as Dr. Facilier, with the production featuring original songs, choreography by Ortega, and themes of identity, redemption, and friendship central to the franchise.[3][4] Written by Sara Parriott and Josann McGibbon, the movie concludes the original trilogy's arc while setting up further expansions in the Descendants universe through subsequent specials and sequels.[5]Development and Pre-production
Announcement and Writing
Disney Channel announced the development of Descendants 3 on February 16, 2018, during the premiere of the original movie Zombies, positioning it as the third and final installment in the franchise with a focus on protagonist Mal's ongoing journey.[6] The announcement highlighted the film's intent to conclude the core narrative arc of the Villain Kids (VKs) from the Isle of the Lost integrating into Auradon society.[7] The screenplay was penned by Josann McGibbon and Sara Parriott, the writing duo behind the previous films in the series, who centered the story on themes of unity and reconciliation between the privileged kingdom of Auradon and the banished inhabitants of the Isle of the Lost. Their script explored the VKs' efforts to bridge these divided worlds, culminating in a broader effort to bring more Isle residents into Auradon's fold while confronting lingering conflicts. Kenny Ortega returned to direct, bringing his signature blend of high-energy choreography and emotional depth to wrap up the VKs' character arcs with expanded action set pieces and original musical sequences.[6] Ortega envisioned the film as an epic finale, amplifying the scale of musical numbers and confrontations to provide closure for Mal, Evie, Jay, and Carlos.[8] Development progressed swiftly after the announcement, with the script finalized by early summer 2018 to align with pre-production and filming schedules in Vancouver.[7] Returning cast members, such as Dove Cameron as Mal and Sofia Carson as Evie, were quickly reaffirmed for their roles to maintain continuity in the trilogy's conclusion.[6]Casting
The principal cast of Descendants 3 largely consisted of returning actors from the franchise's earlier installments, ensuring continuity for the core characters. Dove Cameron reprised her lead role as Mal, the daughter of Maleficent; Cameron Boyce returned as Carlos, son of Cruella de Vil; Sofia Carson as Evie, daughter of the Evil Queen; and Booboo Stewart as Jay, son of Jafar.[4] China Anne McClain also came back as Uma, the daughter of Ursula, who had been introduced as the primary antagonist in Descendants 2.[4] Several supporting roles saw actors elevated to more prominent positions or confirmed returns. Sarah Jeffery was promoted to a key recurring role as Audrey Rose, the daughter of Aurora, building on her appearances in the first two films.[9] Dylan Playfair reprised his role as Gil, son of Gaston, alongside Thomas Doherty as Harry Hook, both originating from Descendants 2.[9] A notable new addition was Cheyenne Jackson, cast as Hades, the underworld ruler from Disney's Hercules, bringing a fresh villainous dynamic to the story.[3] On May 4, 2018, Jamal Sims was cast as Dr. Facilier from Disney's The Princess and the Frog, with Jadah Marie portraying his daughter, Celia Facilier.[10] Casting announcements rolled out progressively throughout 2018, starting with the confirmation of the returning ensemble in February.[11] By April, reprises for Jeffery, Playfair, and Doherty were revealed, highlighting the expansion of the pirate crew from the Isle of the Lost.[9] Jackson's casting as Hades followed in May, marking a significant reveal for the film's mythological elements.[3] Additional returns included Judith Maxie as Queen Leah, Audrey's grandmother from the original Descendants, and Jedidiah Goodacre as Chad Charming, son of Cinderella, both continuing from prior entries without separate announcements.[12] Director Kenny Ortega placed strong emphasis on the chemistry among the actors portraying the Villain Kids (VKs), noting that such interpersonal dynamics are essential to the ensemble's energy and cannot be manufactured through direction alone but must be selected during casting.[13] This focus helped maintain the franchise's signature camaraderie, with the young cast's established rapport cited as a cornerstone of the series' appeal.[14]Plot and Characters
Plot Summary
Mal prepares to become the future queen of Auradon alongside Ben, prompting her and the other core VKs—Evie, Jay, and Carlos—to return to the Isle of the Lost to recruit additional villain kids, including Dizzy Tremaine, Celia Facilier, and Squeaky and Squirmy, for integration into Auradon society.[15] Meanwhile, Hades attempts to escape the Isle of the Lost during the VKs' recruitment trip, injuring Ben and others, but is repelled by Mal, who transforms into a dragon; he temporarily drains her magic using his ember and is revealed as her estranged father. This encounter creates a dilemma for Mal, who grapples with her heritage.[16] Feeling overlooked and resentful, Audrey steals the crown and Maleficent's scepter, transforming into a powerful villainess; she proceeds to curse much of Auradon into a sleeping state, petrifies several residents, and turns Ben into a beast-like form, spreading destruction across the kingdom.[17] In response, Mal allies with her former rival Uma to retrieve the ember from Hades on the Isle, where they enlist his reluctant help after learning more about Mal's family ties; the group then confronts Audrey at the Fairy Cottage, where Mal and Uma relight the ember to reverse Audrey's curses; Audrey falls into a coma but is later revived by Hades after she is wounded in the clash.[18] In the aftermath, Hades briefly attempts to reclaim the ember but is persuaded by Mal to stand down and revive Audrey; the VKs decide to permanently open the barrier by building a bridge connecting the Isle and Auradon, allowing free movement for reformed villain kids, while Hades is permitted supervised visits to see Mal.[17]Cast and Characters
Dove Cameron stars as Mal, the rebellious daughter of Maleficent and Hades, who serves as Auradon's queen-in-waiting while grappling with an identity crisis over her villainous heritage and commitment to the realm.[19][20] Cameron Boyce portrays Carlos De Vil, the tech-savvy son of Cruella de Vil, who continues his integration into Auradon life after leaving the Isle of the Lost.[19][11] In the ensemble, Sofia Carson plays Evie, the fashion-designing daughter of the Evil Queen, who supports efforts to foster unity between Auradon and the Isle through her inventive creations.[20][11] Booboo Stewart appears as Jay, the athletic son of Jafar and a natural leader among the VKs, relying on his street smarts during conflicts.[20][11] China Anne McClain returns as Uma, the fierce pirate captain and daughter of Ursula, evolving from rival to reluctant ally in the fight for balance.[20][11] Among the antagonists and supporting figures, Cheyenne Jackson makes his debut as Hades, the flamboyant lord of the underworld from the Isle, driven by a desire to reunite with his daughter Mal.[3][20] Sarah Jeffery recurs as Audrey Rose, the ambitious princess and daughter of Aurora, whose jealousy leads her to embrace villainy before seeking redemption.[20][19] Notable minor roles include Dylan Playfair as Gil, the good-natured but dim-witted son of Gaston and a loyal member of Uma's pirate crew.[20] Anna Cathcart as Dizzy Tremaine, the bubbly new recruit from the Isle and granddaughter of Lady Tremaine, eager to adapt to Auradon's ways.[20] Jadah Marie portrays Celia Facilier, the sassy daughter of Dr. Facilier and a young fortune-teller who joins the VKs in Auradon.[20]| Actor | Character | Role Description |
|---|---|---|
| Dove Cameron | Mal | Daughter of Maleficent and Hades; queen-in-waiting facing identity crisis. |
| Cameron Boyce | Carlos De Vil | Tech-savvy son of Cruella de Vil; integrates into Auradon. |
| Sofia Carson | Evie | Designer daughter of the Evil Queen; aids unity efforts. |
| Booboo Stewart | Jay | Athletic son of Jafar; VK leader. |
| China Anne McClain | Uma | Pirate captain daughter of Ursula; rival turning ally. |
| Cheyenne Jackson | Hades | Underworld lord seeking family reunion. |
| Sarah Jeffery | Audrey Rose | Jealous princess turning villainous then redeemed. |
| Dylan Playfair | Gil | Dim-witted pirate son of Gaston. |
| Anna Cathcart | Dizzy Tremaine | New VK recruit, granddaughter of Lady Tremaine. |
| Jadah Marie | Celia Facilier | Fortune-teller VK, daughter of Dr. Facilier. |
Production
Filming
Principal photography for Descendants 3 commenced in late May 2018 and concluded on July 18, 2018, in and around Vancouver, British Columbia, under the direction of Kenny Ortega.[21][22] The returning cast members drew on their familiarity with Vancouver shoots from the prior films to streamline the process.[23] Filming occurred primarily in Vancouver and extended to Victoria, utilizing a mix of natural landscapes and architectural landmarks to represent the contrasting worlds of Auradon and the Isle of the Lost. Key locations included Lynn Canyon Park in North Vancouver, where the 30-Foot Pool stood in for the Enchanted Lake during scenes like Jane's birthday bash and Audrey's spell-casting sequence.[24][25] Hatley Castle at Royal Roads University in Victoria served as the grand setting for Auradon Prep, capturing pivotal moments such as Ben's proposal to Mal amid its manicured gardens.[26] Additional Vancouver sites featured the Britannia Mine Museum as Hades' underworld lair, the University of British Columbia's campus for Auradon Prep exteriors, and the Rogers Sugar Refinery for the Isle of the Lost's opening musical sequence.[24] The production encountered logistical challenges in choreographing expansive musical numbers and action sequences, with Ortega taking on the dual role of director and lead choreographer to integrate dance-heavy scenes seamlessly. Cinematographer Adam Santelli handled the visual capture, emphasizing the film's dynamic energy.[27] Specific hurdles arose during the Enchanted Lake shoot at Lynn Canyon's rugged terrain, requiring careful coordination for water-based action and large ensemble performances amid natural elements. Collaborators like choreographer Jamal Sims contributed specialized training, such as sword-fighting for villain ensemble routines, to heighten the sequences' intensity.[28][29]Visual Effects and Design
The visual effects and design of Descendants 3 emphasized a heightened fantasy aesthetic, blending practical sets with digital enhancements to distinguish the contrasting worlds of the Isle of the Lost and Auradon. Production designer Mark Hofeling expanded the Isle's gritty, confined environments with detailed recreations of dilapidated structures and narrow alleyways, while Auradon's opulent palaces and gardens were rendered in vibrant, expansive scales to underscore themes of freedom and royalty. A key element was the conceptual visualization of the protective barrier as a ruined bridge separating the two realms, which served as a narrative pivot point for the film's climax, achieved through a combination of practical builds and CGI extensions.[30] Costume designer Kara Saun crafted outfits that reflected character arcs and world-building, incorporating punk-inspired elements like leather, chains, and distressed fabrics for Isle residents to evoke rebellion and villainy, contrasted with regal Auradon attire featuring flowing silks, embroidered details, and pastel hues for elegance. Audrey's transformation into a villain was highlighted by her evolving wardrobe, culminating in a dramatic black-and-pink gown with feathered cape and crown, symbolizing her shift from princess to antagonist and drawing on gothic fairy-tale influences. These designs not only supported the musical sequences but also reinforced the film's dual-tone narrative.[31] Visual effects were handled by multiple studios, including Spin VFX, Artifex Studios, Atmosphere, and Zoic Studios, which integrated CGI for magical sequences such as the ember's ethereal glow during barrier manipulations, Audrey's scepter-induced stone transformations, and Hades' dynamic blue-flame hair and powers. Crowd scenes on the Isle and in Auradon's celebrations were augmented with digital extras to amplify the epic scope, avoiding overcrowding on practical sets filmed in Vancouver. The post-production color grading accentuated the Isle's desaturated, shadowy palette against Auradon's saturated brights, creating a visual dichotomy that evolved the series toward a more grandiose tone compared to the tighter scales of prior entries.[32][33][34]Music and Soundtrack
Composition and Songs
The composition of the original songs for Descendants 3 was led by a team of songwriters including Antonina Armato, Tim James, Thomas Sturges, and Adam Schmalholz, who crafted several key tracks to fit the film's musical fantasy narrative.[35] For instance, "Good to Be Bad," an upbeat ensemble number performed by Dove Cameron, Sofia Carson, Booboo Stewart, Cameron Boyce, Jadah Marie, and Anna Cathcart, highlights the villain kids' (VKs) arrival and their defiant pride, blending high-energy pop-rock elements with theatrical flair. Similarly, "Queen of Mean," Sarah Jeffery's villainous solo as Audrey, explores her descent into antagonism with dramatic orchestration and soaring vocals, written to emphasize her character's transformation and resentment. Another pivotal track, "Do What You Gotta Do," a tense duet between Dove Cameron as Mal and Cheyenne Jackson as Hades, was composed by Jack Kugell, Hanna Jones, and Matt Wong to underscore their estranged father-daughter confrontation during an action sequence.[36][37] Under director and choreographer Kenny Ortega's guidance, the film's musical style fused contemporary pop and rock with classic show tunes, creating accessible yet theatrical numbers that appealed to a broad audience. Ortega oversaw the choreography for 10 musical sequences, ensuring each integrated seamlessly with the plot while allowing for dynamic group performances and individual showcases. This approach drew from Ortega's signature style, seen in previous Disney projects, prioritizing emotional storytelling through movement and melody. The ensemble-driven "Night Falls," performed by the core cast including China Anne McClain as Uma, features layered vocals from Dove Cameron, Sofia Carson, Booboo Stewart, Cameron Boyce, Thomas Doherty, and Dylan Playfair, capturing a chaotic battle scene with rhythmic urgency and harmonious builds composed by Armato, James, Sturges, and Schmalholz.[36][38] The recording process took place in Los Angeles studios after principal filming wrapped in Vancouver, allowing the cast to focus on vocal performances in a controlled environment. Sessions emphasized ensemble harmonies and standout solos, such as China Anne McClain's powerful rendition in "Night Falls," where multiple artists layered tracks to achieve a full, cinematic sound. Post-production refinements ensured the songs synchronized with on-set choreography, enhancing the film's high-stakes action and emotional beats.[39] Throughout Descendants 3, the songs serve a crucial narrative function, propelling character arcs and plot progression rather than merely interrupting the story. For example, "My Once Upon a Time," Mal's introspective ballad written by David Goldsmith and John Kavanaugh, resolves her internal conflict about her heritage and future, providing a poignant climax to her journey from Isle outsider to Auradon leader. This integration of music mirrors the franchise's tradition of using songs to explore themes of identity, redemption, and unity, with each number advancing key conflicts like the VKs' return to the Isle or Audrey's rebellion.[40][36]Soundtrack Release and Performance
The Descendants 3 soundtrack album was released on August 2, 2019, by Walt Disney Records, coinciding with the film's premiere on Disney Channel.[41] The album comprises 13 tracks, including seven original songs from the film such as "Break This Down" and "Finally Free," alongside reprises and remixes of selections from prior installments in the franchise.[41] Performed primarily by the film's cast, the soundtrack emphasizes ensemble numbers that highlight the teen-oriented musical style integral to the series.[42] The track listing is as follows:
Total length: 36:03[41]
Commercially, the soundtrack debuted at number 7 on the Billboard 200 chart, accumulating 36,000 album-equivalent units in its first week, including 23,000 in pure album sales.[43] It also reached number 1 on the Billboard Kid Albums chart, reflecting strong appeal to younger audiences through digital streaming platforms.[44] The lead single "Queen of Mean" by Sarah Jeffery peaked at number 49 on the Billboard Hot 100, marking a significant chart entry for the performer and underscoring the album's streaming-driven success among youth demographics.[45] In January 2023, the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) certified the soundtrack gold for 500,000 units sold or streamed in the United States.[46]