by Thinus Ferreira
Disney has announced that it’s expanding its Descendants film franchise with a prequel-set musical movie for its Disney+ video streaming service with The Pocketwatch as its working title.
The Pocketwatch will expand the world created by the Descendants with filmmaker Jennifer Phang set to direct as co-executive producer, with a script by Dan Frey and Russell Sommer, and will include 7 new songs and Disney classic songs.
The Pocketwatch will introduce Red, the teenage daughter of the Queen of Hearts, as well as Chloe, the teenage daughter of Cinderella, and Prince Charming from Cinderella.
The music- and dance-filled original movie from Disney Branded Television will see production designer Mark Hofeling return.
“With a captivating script and Jennifer Phang’s directorial vision, we’re setting a new high bar of creativity and imagination, with a movie that ups the ante on story, song and dance to entertain young viewers, their families, and the global fan base that grew up with the aspirational story of Descendants, says Ayo Davis, president of Disney Branded Television, in a statement.
“We join them in anticipation as we prepare to deliver a great new entertainment experience to Disney+.”
Jennifer Phang says “The Pocketwatch presents a delightful canvas with fantastical world-building. Musicals sparked my imagination when I was a kid and are a huge part of what drew me to filmmaking”.
“I think that’s because they have a way of conveying these lovely, nuanced ideas through song and expressive movement. I’m also always inspired by the diversity of families that exist all around the world. So I really jumped at the chance to craft a supercharged musical experience and explore some new, invigorating themes inside an expansive Disney universe.”
According to Disney, the Descendants movies unfurled an imaginative mythology of two new lands, idyllic Auradon and ragtag Isle of the Lost, home to the teenage progeny of Disney’s most iconic characters and notably, its most notorious villains.
“The bold new story of The Pocketwatch returns to these lands and also takes audiences through the rabbit hole to the hostile unincorporated territory of Wonderland, a magical, mysterious place made famous in Alice in Wonderland.”
“The expansive new story introduces Red, the whip-smart and rebellious teenage daughter of the Queen of Hearts and Chloe, the perfectionist and athletic daughter of Cinderella and Prince Charming.”
“In order to prevent an impending coup in Auradon – one that looms during the celebration of a new royal baby Red must join forces with Chloe to travel in back in time, through the White Rabbit’s pocket watch, to stop an event that would lead to grave consequences.”
Jennifer Rogers Doyle, senior vice president for franchise and integrated planning for Networks, Disney Media Entertainment and Distribution, says “The fan engagement and high demand for extensions of Descendants continues because viewers have a very special relationship with the core characters and not just because they love the way they look, but because they are relevant, heroic figures, and soon, they’ll be invited to meet Red and Chloe.”