The Descendants: The Rise of Red cast discusses joining the iconic franchise, as well as the incredible cosutmes, hair, and makeup.
Descendants: The Rise of Red follows Red, the daughter of the Queen of Hearts, and Chloe, the daughter of Cinderella, as they are forced to travel back in time to stop a coup on Auradon Prep. It delivers fun and catchy new songs, with incredible choreography, and sets up for what could be many more Descendants films to come.
We spoke with some of the cast to discuss their new film and what it was like to join the iconic franchise. They also talk about their detailed costumes, as well as the hair and makeup. The Descendants: The Rise of Red cast also reveals their favorite songs.
Participating Talent:
- Kylie Cantrall “Red”
- Malia Baker “Chloe”
- Ruby Rose Turner “Bridget / Young Queen of Hearts”
- Morgan Dudley “Ella / Young Cinderella”
- Dara Renee “Ulyana
- Peder Lindell “Morgie”
Joining the Descendants Franchise is a Dream
This is the fourth Descendants film, fifth if you count the animated one. There are fans of this franchise all over the world, which is not lost on the cast of Descendants: The Rise of Red. When asked what it was like to be a part of such a beloved world, they all explain it was a dream come true.
Kylie Cantrall: It’s so epic. Descendents was on constantly in my household. I was nine when the first one came out, so I vividly remember the impact that it had on me. The dance numbers and the songs were so catchy and the costumes looked so good. The lore. I was in from the moment I watched the first one.
Malia Baker: I was the exact same way. As soon as you heard Rotten To The Core in the household, everyone was sat down on the couch, which is such a cool bonding experience. I really hope we’re able to do that for the next generation, your kids and my younger sister, this is the only thing I have been a part of that she thinks is cool. So it’s fun to be a part of.
Morgan Dudley: Crazy. I was really, really excited because I was a huge fan of the Descendents that I feel like the nerves and the weight of it didn’t actually hit me until the announcement was posted. And I was like, oh, gosh, a lot of people’s eyes are on this.
Dara Renee: It’s been such an honor to be a part of something that I grew up watching and that’s so close to me and so many other childhoods, so I was like, Oh my gosh, I can’t believe I am a part of it. I was shaking as soon as I got to D23. I was crying.
Ruby Rose Turner: I feel like I’m never going to fully be able to accept the fact that I’m a part of the movies. It’s not something that I’m ever going to be able to sit and digest. Our trailer came out a few weeks ago and it surpassed 86 million views in a certain amount of time and I was just like, there’s no way that I’m a part of that. It’s mind blowing. Mind blowing is an understatement.
Peder Lindell: It was an electric feeling. Getting the call from your manager or your agent that you’ve gotten a role is by far one of the most incredible feelings, but then also, becoming part of one of the biggest Disney franchises ever is like, I was crying. I called my sister. I called my parents. My sister was freaking out, screaming. It was incredible.
The Detailed Costumes Helped the Cast get into Character
The costumes in Descendants have always been incredible and unforgettable. When talking to the cast about them, they admit this is what truly helped them to get into character.
Ruby Rose Turner: Little me’s dream come true. Little me is watching me like oh my gosh, you finally have pink hair. Immediately get into character once that wig goes on.
Dara Renee: Same as me with the war paint. As soon as they painted that war paint, I was awoken.
Morgan Dudley: It’s such a visual medium. I put on my denim and I was like, Oh, I’m a working girl. Real Morgan? I can be really prissy. I’m not a big fan of bugs or outdoors but like I was like, nah got this. A bee flew by I was like, where? So yes, it definitely helped.
Peder Lindell: We had a few test outfits. So I was like, Is this me? I don’t know. Then we tried a new one. And I’m like, maybe this is me? Then we got to the final one. I was like, Okay, this is Morgie. This is awesome. Like you saw in the movie, I had this magical flowy green that, I don’t I don’t even know what it’s called, but it was awesome. And then you have the cool pants and the boots. The scarf was really fun to play with. Especially when I was doing flips and tricks and stuff. I felt at home in my character.
Descendants Cast’s Favorite Songs
Descendants: The Rise of Red has a whole ton of new songs that are sure to be on repeat in houses around the world after the movie airs. When asked which is their favorite, the cast has a hard time picking just one.
Kylie Cantrall: That’s so hard. They’re all so good in their own way. I think I’ll always have a special place in my heart for Redm for sure. Filming that number was electric. And I think it’s one of the more darker musical numbers in it, along with Perfect Revenge is also very, very spooky energy. So grunge.
Malia Baker: I remember hearing them all for the first time and I was so obsessed. I think Life Is Sweeter honestly holds such a big place in all of our hearts. It is the one where we’re all together and we all get to collaborate in that way. You’re introduced to these iconic characters, which we already fell in love with during the franchise. So I think that one is everything that people are expecting, brought to life. It’s like that cafeteria scene and any coming of age movie like, where’s everybody sitting?
Peder Lindell: I’m hesitant on this. I think Perfect Revenge, although Life Is Sweeter is super cool as well. Perfect Revenge is awesome though. It’s fun to just move around to that. But Life Is Sweeter was super fun to shoot because we had everyone. Wonderful music.
Be sure to watch the full Descendants: The Rise of Red cast interviews to hear what it was like working with Brandy and Rita Ora, and if they would come back to explore more about their characters should another film be greenlit.
Descendants: The Rise of Red premieres on Disney+ July 12, 2024. Be sure to stick around through the credits for a hint of what is to come next!
NEXT: Cameron Boyce Says Fans Will Flip Their Lids When They See Descendants 2
About Descendants: The Rise of Red
Now Headmaster of Auradon Prep, former Villain Kid Uma extends an invite to the school to another VK – Red, the rebellious daughter of the tyrannical Queen of Hearts from Wonderland. The Queen of Hearts has long held a grudge against Auradon, especially against Cinderella, and seizes the opportunity to seek revenge when she drops her daughter off at school.
When the Queen of Hearts incites a coup against Auradon, Red must team up with Cinderella’s perfectionist daughter Chloe as they travel back in time to try to undo the traumatic event that set the young Queen of Hearts down her villainous path.
Descendants: The Rise of Red premieres on Disney+ July 12, 2024.
Tessa Smith is a Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer-approved Film and TV Critic. She is also a Freelance Writer. Tessa has been in the Entertainment writing business for ten years and is a member of several Critics Associations including the Critics Choice Association and the Greater Western New York Film Critics Association.