Disney+ Announces the Expansion of the ‘Descendants’ Universe with ‘The Pocketwatch’

Fans of Disney’s Descendants will be thrilled to learn that this unique fantasy universe is about to expand! The current film trilogy began in 2015 as a Disney Channel Original Movie that featured the children of classic Disney villains as they attended a prep school with the children of memorable heroes while attempting to help their parents return to power. Since the most recent Descendants installment, fans have been hoping for a fourth movie, and thankfully Disney+ has stepped up to grant that wish!

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The newest installment will be an Alice in Wonderland-inspired movie musical called The Pocketwatch (working title). Directed by Jennifer Phang (Advantageous, Half-Life, The Flight Attendant), alongside executive producer Gary Marsh, and writers Dan Frey and Russell Sommer (Magic: The Gathering) the new story will follow familiar characters from past Descendants films back to Auradon and eventually “down the rabbit hole” to an entirely new, and perhaps sinister, setting in Wonderland.

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In Wonderland, audiences will be introduced to the daughter of the classic Alice in Wonderland villain, the Queen of Hearts. Red might take after her mother, but she will after some questioning follow Chloe (whose parents are Cinderella and Prince Charming) to use the White Rabbit’s pocketwatch to head back in time to stop a coup in Auradon.

The concept of the Descendants stories offer multiple ways for Disney to create new stories all inspired by classic and familiar characters, and while tapping into the teen market which can be a challenging age for a family entertainment company to produce content for.

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Per D23, Senior Vice President, Franchise and Integrated Planning, Networks, Disney Media Entertainment and Distribution Jennifer Rogers Doyle attributes the success of Descendants to the concept that it has “tapped into what parents and kids love—a contemporary story with familiarity.”

The Pocketwatch is currently in the development phases with production planned for a fall start date. Ahead of the new film’s release, you can catch up on past Descendants films that are already available on Disney+.