Today, we're diving deep into one of the most burning questions in the Descendants fandom: Why isn't the original cast returning for Descendants 4: The Rise of Red?

I know it's a biggie, and we have a lot to unpack.

So, grab your VK caps, and let's get started. Before we kick off, hit that like button, subscribe to our channel, and ring the bell for more awesome content.

Let's jump right in. First up, we have to talk about the heart and soul of Descendants, Mal, played by the amazingly talented Dove Cameron.

When Descendants 4 was announced, fans were buzzing with excitement.

We all had so many questions.

Would there be a royal wedding?

A royal baby?

How would Mal handle her new role as queen?

And what would Auradon be like now that the Isle of the Lost is welcome?

But alas, our dreams were dashed when it was revealed that Dove Cameron and the rest of the original villain kids wouldn't be returning. As many of you know, the tragic passing of Cameron Boyce in 2019 deeply affected the entire Descendants family.

In various interviews, Dove Cameron has expressed that continuing the story without Cameron just wouldn't feel right.

She said, "I'm gonna say no, because I don't think it would be the same without the whole original cast.

It would just be different now.

And also, we did it.

We told a full story.

We completed it.

What happened was so incredibly heart-wrenching for all of us and something we could not recover from.

And so, I think the idea of making another movie, while it would be nostalgic for all of us and while it would be healing in a lot of ways, it might also be super wrong." She added, "So it could go either way, and it depends on how we're all feeling, and I think that the beautiful thing that Disney has done is that they have very much created a safe space for the cast to be wherever they're at.

They canceled everything when Cameron passed, and I know they want what's in all of our best interests, so we'll see.

I doubt it, but we'll see." Next, we have the fabulous Sophia Carson who brought Evie to life with her charm and style.

Evie's journey from a fashionista with a heart of gold to a successful businesswoman was inspiring.

Fans were eager to see what was next for her and her romance with Doug.

But Sophia, too, is not returning for Descendants 4.

Originally, Sophia Carson was open to continuing Evie's story.

In 2020, she said, "Evie gave me so much.

She's just this gift that keeps on giving.

She brings so much joy to my life, so I would love to." However, in a 2022 interview, she mentioned, "Descendants for us ended with Descendants 3, but it's always so beautiful to see all of the love for the franchise, and I wish them the best of luck." Along with Dove and Sophia, Boo Boo Stewart, who plays Jay, also won't be returning.

When Descendants 4 was first announced without the return of the original cast, fans were initially upset.

Some expressed how making a Descendants 4 without Cameron Boyce was just wrong.

However, the release of the official trailer looked promising.

Many have said the movie looks so much better than they expected.

They've even said that although they miss the original cast, this new movie looks like it's going to be epic, and the new cast seems incredible. Now let's talk about the plot of Descendants: The Rise of Red.

Without the original cast, what's the new story about?

This time, we're introduced to two new main characters, Red and Chloe.

Red is the rebellious daughter of the Queen of Hearts, always finding ways to stir up trouble and provoke her mother.

Chloe, on the other hand, is the cheerful and privileged daughter of Cinderella and Prince Charming.

She's book smart, athletic, but somewhat naive about the real world due to her sheltered upbringing. The plot thickens as Uma, now the headmistress of Auradon Prep, sends an invite to Princess Red.

The Queen of Hearts sees this as an opportunity to seek revenge against Auradon, especially Cinderella.

She incites a coup, and Red must team up with Chloe to travel back in time using a magical pocket watch to undo the events that led her mother down a villainous path.

Sounds epic, right?

Their journey promises to be filled with twists, turns, and a lot of character growth as they navigate this complex mission. This new storyline offers a fresh perspective on the Descendants universe.

It delves into the backstory of the Queen of Hearts, providing depth to a character we've only known as a villain.

The dynamic between Red and Chloe, coming from two very different backgrounds, adds an exciting layer of complexity and potential for growth.

Fans are eager to see how these new characters will navigate their challenges and what new alliances and friendships will form. Let's meet the new cast.

Returning from the original movies, we have Chyna Anne McClain reprising her role as Uma.

The trailer features her iconic song, "What's My Name," and we can't wait to see her in action again.

Also returning is Melanie Paxton as Fairy Godmother, bringing her magical touch back to the screen. Joining the Descendants family are some incredible new talents.

Kylie Cantrell plays Red, and Malia Baker stars as Chloe.

Rita Ora takes on the role of the Queen of Hearts, and Brandy, yes, Brandy, reprises her role as Cinderella alongside Paolo Montalban as Prince Charming from the 1997 Cinderella movie.

We also have Ruby Rose Turner as the young Queen of Hearts and Morgan Dudley as young Cinderella.

And let's not forget our new villains, Joshua Cawley as Hook and Dara Rene as Iuliana, Ursula's younger sister. The new cast lineup is certainly impressive, with a mix of established actors and fresh faces ready to bring their characters to life.

This combination promises to deliver a compelling and dynamic story.

The inclusion of Brandy and Paolo Montalban brings a nostalgic element that many fans are excited about.

The new villains, Hook and Iuliana, add an intriguing twist, hinting at new conflicts and adventures in the Descendants universe. Now, the big question, when is Descendants: The Rise of Red hitting our screens?

Filming took place in Atlanta, Georgia from January 30th to March 31st, 2023.

Kylie Cantrell, who plays Red, shared on Instagram that they were almost done filming by March 18th.

The cast shared plenty of behind-the-scenes photos during their time filming, giving fans a glimpse into the production process and building anticipation.

The official trailer dropped on May 28th, 2024, and it set the internet ablaze. The response from fans has been overwhelmingly positive, with many expressing their excitement for this new chapter in the Descendants saga.

Mark your calendars because Descendants: The Rise of Red is set to release on July 12th, 2024, on Disney+.

The date is coming up fast, and we couldn't be more excited.

From the trailer, it's clear that the cast did an exceptional job bringing this new story to life. We can't wait to fall in love with these new characters and see what adventures await in Auradon and beyond.

With the release date just around the corner, the buzz around The Rise of Red is at an all-time high.

Fans are counting down the days, eagerly awaiting the chance to see how the new characters will fit into the beloved Descendants world.

The trailers and sneak peeks have shown us just enough to keep us on the edge of our seats, and the anticipation is building for what promises to be an epic addition to the franchise. Thanks for watching.

Who's your favorite character from Descendants?

What do you think about Descendants 4?

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