The Pocketwatch

The Pocketwatch is an upcoming musical fantasy film directed by Jennifer Phang from an screenplay by Dan Frey and Russell Sommer. Produced by Disney Channel, the film will be an spin-off of the Descendants franchise.

The Pocketwatch
Written by
  • Dan Frey
  • Russell Sommer
Directed byJennifer Phang
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
Production
Executive producers
Production company
DistributorDisney Platform Distribution
Release
Original networkDisney+

The Pocketwatch is set to be released on Disney+.

Synopsis

Red, daughter of the Queen of Hearts, and Chloe, daughter of Cinderella and Prince Charming, team-up to travel in time with the White Rabbit's pocketwatch and prevent a catastrophic coup on Auradon.[1]

Cast

Production

Development

In August 18, 2021, following the release of the animated special Descendants: The Royal Wedding, Lauren Kisilevsky, Disney Branded Television's Senior Vice President of Original Movies, responded to questions regarding the special's cliffhanger by saying that "[t]he tease is a tease", and was added due to the Descendants films ending with hints at additional stories, and also said that "Disney Channel will see where [they] get with the franchise".[3]

In September 21, 2021, a fourth Descendants film was confirmed to be in development as part of an overall deal between Disney and former Disney Branded Television president Gary Marsh's production company.[4] By May 2022, the film was greenlight by Disney+ as a spin-off under the working title of The Pocketwatch. Jennifer Phang was hired as director and co-executive producer, with Dan Frey and Russell Sommer writing the screenplay and Marsh executive-producing.[1]

Filming

Filming for The Pocketwatch will begin in Fall 2022.[1] Mark Hofeling will return from the original trilogy as production designer.[1] Phang said she wants the choreography during action sequences to still be able to tell an emotional story. For Wonderland's design, Phang used Alice in Wonderland (1951) as a reference while also drawing inspiration from her previous filmmaking experience.[5] Filming took place in Atlanta beginning at the end of January 2023 with plans to run through mid-March.[6][2]

Casting

The featured cast announced at the 2022 D23 Expo included China Anne McClain, who is returning to portray Uma, with Kylie Cantrall (as Red) and Dara Reneé (as Ulyana) joining the cast of the film.[7] In November 2022, casting announcement revealed that Brandy Norwood was returning as Cinderella after playing the role in the 1997 film Cinderella and Melanie Paxson returned as the franchise Fairy Godmother. New cast members to the franchise were Rita Ora as the Queen of Hearts as well as Malia Baker, Ruby Rose Turner, Morgan Dudley, and Joshua Colley.[8] After filming had begun, Jeremy Swift and Leonardo Nam were announced as cast additions in February 2023.[2]

Visual effects

According to Phang, visual effects will be used to "enhance" the locations featured in the film.[5]

Music

The Pocketwatch is set to feature both 7 original songs and songs from animated Disney films.[1]

Release

The Pocketwatch is set to be released on Disney+, marking the first time a Descendants film is not released on Disney Channel.[1]

References
  1. Petski, Denise (10 May 2022). "'Descendants' Sequel 'The Pocketwatch' Movie Greenlighted By Disney+; Jennifer Phang To Direct". Deadline. Retrieved May 10, 2022.
  2. Petski, Denise (February 2, 2023). "Descendants Sequel The Pocketwatch Disney+ Movie Adds Jeremy Swift & Leonardo Nam To Cast". Deadline Hollywood. Penske Media Corporation.
  3. ‘Descendants’: Disney Channel SVP Addresses ‘Royal Wedding’ Cliffhanger
  4. Gary Marsh Exiting As Head Of Disney Branded TV To Launch Disney-Backed Company With ‘Peter Pan’ & ‘Witch Mountain’ Offshoots, More ‘Descendants’
  5. "Jennifer Phang Interview: The Flight Attendant & Disney's The Pocketwatch". ScreenRant. 2022-06-07. Retrieved 2022-07-17.
  6. Rajput, Priyanca (January 4, 2023). "Disney's Descendants 4: The Pocketwatch to film in Atlanta, Georgia". KFTV.com.
  7. "Disney Branded Television Presents Upcoming Slate of Films and Series at D23 Expo 2022" (Press release). Disney Branded Television. September 11, 2022. Retrieved September 11, 2022.
  8. Petski, Denise (November 21, 2022). "Brandy & Rita Ora Among 7 Cast In Descendants Sequel The Pocketwatch At Disney+". Deadline Hollywood. Penske Media Corporation.
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