By Jesse Kosierowski

They’ve got all the ways to be W-I-C-K-E-D. Disney’s Descendants is making a royal return with a new era of magic and madness.

When Descendants first premiered on Disney Channel in 2015, it instantly cemented itself as a staple of Disney history. The magic began by introducing us to the next generation of the studio's most iconic heroes and infamous villains, starting with the original VKs: Mal, Evie, Jay, and Carlos. Banished to the Isle of the Lost, these four were given a life-changing invitation to attend Auradon Prep alongside the children of Disney royalty, forcing them to decide whether to follow in their parents' wicked footsteps or write their own stories.

While we all presumed this story reached its happily-ever-after when the original trilogy concluded in 2019, one more VK had other plans. In 2024, the franchise made a return with Descendants: The Rise of Red, following Red, the rebellious daughter of the Queen of Hearts, and Chloe, the perfectionist daughter of Cinderella. Using a magical pocket watch, the duo traveled back in time to rewrite their parents' history, setting off a chain reaction that changed everything.

The consequences of that time-traveling adventure have ultimately paved the way for Disney’s newest installment, Descendants: Wicked Wonderland. This time, we are going straight down the rabbit hole and into one of the biggest, boldest, and most visually captivating adventures the franchise has ever seen.

From its vibrant sets to a high-energy soundtrack that takes the franchise's musical legacy to an entirely new level, this latest adventure pulls out all the stops. We find our favorite characters navigating their brand-new normal in Auradon as "perfect princesses". Red is adjusting to life with a kindhearted, loving mother and new sister, and Chloe is trying to find her footing in a world that feels completely rewritten.

But in true Descendants fashion, a happily-ever-after is never quite that simple. In a wicked twist of fate, changing the past has massive consequences, resulting in a brand-new villain in town: Maddox Hatter. When the eccentric inventor turns malicious and captures the Queen of Hearts, it forces an unlikely alliance of HKs and VKs to put their differences aside. Together, they must jump down the literal rabbit hole and into a wicked wonderland, navigating shifting paths, giant chessboards, and obstacles at every single turn.

We sat down with the cast of Descendants: Wicked Wonderland to talk about stepping into this vibrant new world and what it was like bringing this mad new chapter to life.

This new era brings audiences the legendary pairing of Brandy and Rita Ora, who bring an incredible chemistry to their roles. For Brandy, returning to the iconic role of Cinderella offered a chance to explore deep, resonant themes while breaking traditional princess norms, starting right with her wardrobe.

"I love the responsibility in a film that represents family, love, unity, sisterhood, friendship, and motherhood," Brandy shared, reflecting on what the representation in these characters means to her. And as for trading the classic ballgown for a modern update? "Wearing pants as Cinderella, that was just, wow."

Opposite her, Rita Ora steps into a whole new dynamic as the Queen of Hearts. While she relishes playing the antagonist, this chapter allows her to showcase a completely different side of her character.

"I had the best time playing a villain,that is my preferred energy!" Ora laughed. "But it was incredible to be the motherly, instinctual character this time around, and to connect with Brandy on another level. Our characters are together more, and getting to see that womanhood on screen was amazing."

Representing the next generation of the franchise, Kylie Cantrall (Red) and Malia Baker (Chloe) are tasked with leading us through this newly reimagined, wonderous world. According to Cantrall, viewers should prepare themselves for a version of Wonderland unlike anything they've seen before, brought to life by real-world craftsmanship.

"I think everyone is familiar with the original Wonderland in Alice in Wonderland, but I think our portrayal of it is bigger than life, super whimsical, and just over-the-top colorful," Cantrall teased.

She added that the immersive environment completely changed the filming experience: "I think the coolest part is that all of our sets were practical. Everything was real and built, so we could actually escape into the world because it was all right there for us. I think that’s rare nowadays because it’s usually a lot of green screens."

Beyond the eye-popping visuals and practical sets, the heart of the Descendants universe has always been its nuanced approach to good and evil, proving that "heroes" and "villains" are often just words. Malia Baker perfectly captured that emotional core when reflecting on the gray space the franchise loves to explore.

"I think that gray space is what the franchise is all about," Baker explained. "All the villains in Disney come from a place of origin, which I think is very essential and integral to who they become. If you were to put a lens and a camera to every single moment that got them there, you would understand and feel very empathetic. I think it’s a beautiful thing, because usually, you only feel empathy for the heroes."

Ultimately, Descendants: Wicked Wonderland delivers exactly what makes this universe so special, a perfect mix of wonderland madness, rich representation, and pure Disney magic.

Descendants: Wicked Wonderland premieres Thursday, July 16th on Disney Channel and will be available to stream the next day on Disney+.

Blackfilmandtv.com correspondent Jesse Kosierowski talks to Descendants: Wicked Wonderland cast members Brandy, Rita Ora, Leonardo Nam, Kylie Cantrall, Malia Baker, Liamani Segura, Alexandro Byrd, and Kiara Romero on the film.