Disney’s new Descendants movie puts iconic sidekicks and their children at the center of a music-filled adventure.
Disney is bringing some familiar fairy-tale faces into the Descendants universe. Darren Criss, Sherry Cola and James Monroe Iglehart have officially joined the cast of Hidden Heroes: A Descendants Story, Disney’s upcoming music-driven movie centered on the sidekicks behind some of its most famous heroes.
Criss will play Jiminy Cricket from Pinocchio, while Cola takes on Yzma from The Emperor’s New Groove. Iglehart will portray Genie from Aladdin, a role with especially strong ties to the actor after his Tony Award-winning performance as Genie in the Broadway production of Aladdin.
Hugo Ateo joins them as Kronk from The Emperor’s New Groove, Sean Yves Lessard as Lumiere from Beauty and the Beast, and Dan Bakkedahl as Yen Sid from “The Sorcerer’s Apprentice” segment of Fantasia.
The new movie is coming to Disney Channel and Disney+ and expands the Descendants franchise with a story focused entirely on Disney’s often-overlooked supporting characters.
Hidden Heroes puts Disney sidekicks in the spotlight
Rather than following the children of Disney’s biggest heroes and villains, Hidden Heroes: A Descendants Story turns its attention toward the characters who usually help those heroes save the day.
At the center of the story is a secret training facility hidden inside the world of fairy tales. Portals located within those stories lead to Sidekick Academy, where descendants of legendary Disney sidekicks train for the chance to become elite partners to heroes.
Things go wrong when a villainous duo arrives at the academy. With no heroes or parents around to rescue them, a new group of recruits must rely on their training and each other to protect the fairy-tale realm.
The concept gives Disney a chance to explore another corner of the Descendants world while pulling characters from several generations of animated classics.
Darren Criss leads new group of iconic Disney characters
Criss joins the project as Jiminy Cricket, the conscience and loyal companion who became one of the most recognizable characters from Disney’s Pinocchio.
Sherry Cola will play Yzma, the scheming villain from The Emperor’s New Groove. Cola recently appeared in Joy Ride and Camp Rock 3.
James Monroe Iglehart steps into the movie as Genie from Aladdin. Iglehart previously won a Tony Award for playing Genie on Broadway, making his casting a notable crossover between Disney’s stage and screen worlds.
Hugo Ateo will portray Kronk, while Sean Yves Lessard takes on Lumiere. Dan Bakkedahl rounds out the newly announced adult cast as Yen Sid, the legendary sorcerer from Fantasia.
Their characters will also have direct connections to several of the younger recruits attending Sidekick Academy.
Hidden Heroes: A Descendants Story cast
- Dior Goodjohn as Jennie, the daughter of Genie from Aladdin
- Momona Tamada as Zara, the daughter of Yzma from The Emperor’s New Groove
- Jacob Rodriguez as Kronk Jr., the son of Kronk from The Emperor’s New Groove
- Eva Fossaceca Smedley as Meri, the daughter of Merryweather from Sleeping Beauty
- Harry Jones as Lou, the son of Lumiere from Beauty and the Beast
- Darren Criss as Jiminy Cricket from Pinocchio
- Sherry Cola as Yzma from The Emperor’s New Groove
- James Monroe Iglehart as Genie from Aladdin
- Hugo Ateo as Kronk from The Emperor’s New Groove
- Sean Yves Lessard as Lumiere from Beauty and the Beast
- Dan Bakkedahl as Yen Sid from Fantasia
The family connections suggest the movie will explore how these younger characters deal with living in the shadows of sidekicks who already played major roles in classic Disney stories.
Descendants expands beyond heroes and villains
The Descendants franchise has traditionally revolved around the children of Disney heroes and villains, creating new stories around the legacy of characters audiences already know.
Hidden Heroes takes that formula in a different direction by making sidekicks the foundation of its world.
That opens the door for characters who rarely receive the spotlight to become major players while also introducing a younger generation connected to Genie, Yzma, Kronk, Lumiere and other Disney favorites.
With music and dance once again playing a major role, the project keeps one of the franchise’s signature elements while introducing a completely new corner of its mythology.
Who is behind Hidden Heroes?
Jude Weng, whose credits include Only Murders in the Building and Finding ‘Ohana, directs Hidden Heroes: A Descendants Story. The screenplay was written by Tamara Chestna, Eydie Faye and Emma Fletcher.
Mark Ordesky and Jane Fleming, who previously worked on ZOMBIES 4: Dawn of the Vampires, serve as executive producers alongside Gary Marsh and Chestna. Chestna also executive produced Descendants: Wicked Wonderland.
Louise Hradsky and Jeffrey Mortensen are handling choreography.
Hidden Heroes: A Descendants Story is coming to Disney Channel and Disney+. Disney has not announced a premiere date.
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Sean Tajipour
Sean Tajipour is the Founder and Editor of Nerdtropolis and the host of the Moviegoers Society and Reel Insights Podcast. He is also a member of the Critics Choice Association. You can follow on Twitter and Instagram @Seantaj.
