or


[05/10/22 - 11:00 AM]
"The Pocketwatch," A Music-Filled Disney+ Movie, Will Expand the World Created by the "Descendants" Megahit Franchise
Lauded filmmaker Jennifer Phang is set to direct and is co-executive producer of the movie which is scheduled to begin production in the fall from a script written by Dan Frey and Russell Sommer.

[via press release from Disney+]

"THE POCKETWATCH," A MUSIC-FILLED DISNEY+ MOVIE, WILL EXPAND THE WORLD CREATED BY THE "DESCENDANTS" MEGAHIT FRANCHISE

Introducing Red, Teen Daughter of the Iconic Queen of Hearts ('Alice in Wonderland'); and Chloe, Teen Daughter of Cinderella and Prince Charming ('Cinderella')

Award-winning Filmmaker Jennifer Phang ("Advantageous," "Half-Life") is Set to Direct

BURBANK, Calif. (May 10, 2022) Today, Disney+ announced "The Pocketwatch" (working title), a newly greenlit music- and dance-filled original movie from Disney Branded Television, will expand the fantastic world created in "Descendants," the global entertainment megahit franchise that introduced the teenage sons and daughters of Disney's most iconic classic characters and infamous villains. Seven new songs and Disney classic songs will advance the story.

Lauded filmmaker Jennifer Phang ("Advantageous," "Half-Life," "Foundation," "The Flight Attendant") is set to direct and is co-executive producer of the movie which is scheduled to begin production in the fall from a script written by Dan Frey and Russell Sommer ("Magic: The Gathering"). Returning to the franchise is production designer Mark Hofeling ("Descendants," "Zombies," "High School Musical"). Gary Marsh is an executive producer and the casting directors are Alexis Frank Koczara and Christine Smith Shevchenko (Disney Branded Television's upcoming "The Naughty Nine," "The Mighty Ducks: Game Changers," "black-ish" and "grown-ish").

"With a captivating script and Jennifer Phang's directorial vision, we're setting a new high bar of creativity and imagination, with a movie that ups the ante on story, song and dance to entertain young viewers, their families, and the global fan base that grew up with the aspirational story of 'Descendants,' said Ayo Davis, president, Disney Branded Television. "We join them in anticipation as we prepare to deliver a great new entertainment experience to Disney+."

Regarding directing the upcoming movie, Phang said, "'The Pocketwatch' presents a delightful canvas with fantastical world building. Musicals sparked my imagination when I was a kid and are a huge part of what drew me to filmmaking. I think that's because they have a way of conveying these lovely, nuanced ideas through song and expressive movement. I'm also always inspired by the diversity of families that exist all around the world. So I really jumped at the chance to craft a supercharged musical experience and explore some new, invigorating themes inside an expansive Disney universe."

The "Descendants" movies unfurled an imaginative mythology of two new lands, idyllic Auradon and ragtag Isle of the Lost, home to the teenage progeny of Disney's most iconic characters and notably, its most notorious villains. The bold new story of "The Pocketwatch" returns to these lands and also takes audiences through the rabbit hole to the hostile unincorporated territory of Wonderland, a magical, mysterious place made famous in "Alice in Wonderland."

The expansive new story introduces "Red," the whip-smart and rebellious teenage daughter of the Queen of Hearts ("Alice in Wonderland") and "Chloe," the perfectionist and athletic daughter of Cinderella and Prince Charming ("Cinderella"). In order to prevent an impending coup in Auradon - one that looms during the celebration of a new royal baby --, Red must join forces with Chloe to travel in back in time, via the White Rabbit's pocket watch, to stop an event that would lead to grave consequences.

Jennifer Rogers Doyle, senior vice president, Franchise and Integrated Planning, Networks, Disney Media Entertainment and Distribution, said, "'Descendants' ushered in a new world of stories and characters that tapped into what parents and kids love, a contemporary story with familiarity. The fan engagement and high demand for extensions of 'Descendants' continues because viewers have a very special relationship with the core characters and not just because they love the way they look, but because they are relevant, heroic figures, and soon, they'll be invited to meet 'Red' and 'Chloe."

A remarkable force in youth entertainment, each premiere telecast of a "Descendants" movie ranks as the most-watched cable movie of the year (2015, 2017, 2019) among Kids 6-11 and Tweens 9-14. Disney Channel's premiere of "Descendants 3" delivered more viewers than its 2017 predecessor -- 11.2 million vs. 10.9 million Total Viewers (L+7). All three live-action movies, an animated spin-off series, "Descendants: Wicked World," an animated special, "Descendants 2: The Royal Wedding," and the live-action "Under the Sea: A Descendants Short Story" are available on Disney+.

Extending the storytelling, the first two movie soundtracks are certified gold and the third soundtrack was #1 on the Billboard Soundtrack chart for four weeks, #1 on the Children's Album Chart and reached #24 on the Billboard Top 200. Music videos from the "Descendants" franchise boast 5.5 billion Vevo views, 11 billion audio and video streams and 2.7 billion TikTok views.

Nearly 7 million dolls and 9 million "Descendants" books including four New York Times Best Sellers were sold, and Halloween costumes were #1 and #2 best-selling costumes in 2015 and 2016 and among Disney's Top 5 licensed costumes for seven consecutive years (2015-2021). In early 2020, Disney Theatrical Productions and Music Theatre International began licensing "Descendants: The Musical" for performers and audiences of all ages.

About Disney+

Disney+ is the dedicated streaming home for movies and shows from Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, and National Geographic, along with The Simpsons and much more. In select international markets, it also includes the new general entertainment content brand, Star. The flagship direct-to-consumer streaming service from The Walt Disney Company, Disney+ is part of the Disney Media & Entertainment Distribution segment. The service offers commercial-free streaming alongside an ever-growing collection of exclusive originals, including feature-length films, documentaries, live-action and animated series, and short-form content. With unprecedented access to Disney's long history of incredible film and television entertainment, Disney+ is also the exclusive streaming home for the newest releases from The Walt Disney Studios. Disney+ is available as a standalone streaming service or as part of The Disney Bundle that gives subscribers access to Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+. For more, visit disneyplus.com, or find the Disney+ app on most mobile and connected TV devices.

About Disney Branded Television

Disney Branded Television is a provider of original content - scripted and unscripted, live-action and animated - for Disney+, Disney Channel, Disney XD and Disney Junior, with a primary focus on imaginative, aspirational stories geared towards kids, tweens, teens and families. Among Disney Branded Television's upcoming premieres are the original movie "Sneakerella," "Zombies 3," "National Treasure," "American Born Chinese," "The Crossover," "Percy Jackson and the Olympians," "The Spiderwick Chronicles," "Saturdays," "The Santa Clause," and the feature documentary "Mickey: Story of a Mouse."





  [may 2022]  
S
M
T
W
T
F
S


· DESCENDANTS (DISNEY)
· DESCENDANTS 2 (DISNEY)
· DESCENDANTS 3 (DISNEY)





[08/15/25 - 09:33 AM]
Disney Branded Television Greenlights "Coven Academy" for Disney+ and Disney Channel
Set against the moody backdrop of New Orleans, "Coven Academy" follows a trio of teenage witches-in-training who are bound by destiny to guard their city against dangerous, ancient forces.

[08/15/25 - 09:30 AM]
"Dance Moms: A New Era" Premieres on Lifetime Monday, September 8th
The reboot of Lifetime's pop culture phenomenon "Dance Moms" introduces beloved dance coach, Glo Hampton, who wants to take her students and prestigious dance school Studio Bleu to the next level, competing nationally every week.

[08/15/25 - 07:01 AM]
Netflix Celebrates Mexican Cinema Day by Announcing the Production of More National Films
This Mexican Cinema Day, Netflix celebrates those who make it possible for our stories to reach the screen and announces a new selection of national films that will premiere soon, only on Netflix.

[08/14/25 - 04:19 PM]
"The Traitors" Comes to NBC with All-New Civilian-Led Version of the Emmy Award-Winning Peacock Series Hosted by Alan Cumming
Instead of the guest list of celebrities and socialites, this time Emmy-winning host Alan Cumming is opening the doors to his now infamous castle in the Scottish Highlands to everyday people.

[08/14/25 - 01:33 PM]
With 5 Million Cross-Platform U.S. Viewers in Its First Three Days, Sunday's Season Finale Episode of "The Gilded Age" Is the Fifth Consecutive Episode to Clinch a Series High
This season is well on track to become the most watched of the series.

[08/14/25 - 12:31 PM]
NBC Sports Announces Its Complete 2025-26 NBA Regular-Season Schedule, Featuring 100 Games Across NBC and Peacock
All NBA games presented by NBC Sports will stream live on Peacock.

[08/14/25 - 12:31 PM]
ESPN & ABC's Star-Studded 2025-26 NBA Regular Season Broadcast Schedule
Marking ESPN's 24th consecutive season broadcasting NBA games, the 2025-26 campaign promises to deliver the most star-studded schedule yet - underscoring ESPN's position as the premier national home of the NBA.

[08/14/25 - 12:31 PM]
Prime Sports Unveils Inaugural 2025-26 NBA on Prime Schedule
NBA on Prime tips off with a doubleheader on Friday, October 24.

[08/14/25 - 12:01 PM]
Next on Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN - September 2025
Upcoming premieres include "Andrew Santino: White Noise" on Hulu; and "Cleopatra's Final Secret," "Dolphins Up Close with Bertie Gregory," and Top Guns: The Next Generation" on Disney+.

[08/14/25 - 12:00 PM]
Prime Video Debuts New Stand-Up Comedy Special "Larry the Cable Guy: It's A Gift"
The one-hour special will premiere September 12 on Prime Video.

[08/14/25 - 11:06 AM]
Magnolia Network Announces New Series, "The Last Wright: Building the Final Home Design of America's Greatest Architect"
The four-part limited series follows mother-daughter team Debbie Dykstra and Sarah Dykstra as they take on the ambitious challenge of building a home based on the last set of plans created by legendary architect Frank Lloyd Wright before his death in 1959.

[08/14/25 - 11:04 AM]
Prime Video Orders "Joseph of Egypt" to Series Starring Adam Hashmi, Written, and Executive Produced by Craig Wright, From 5&2 Studios
In this iconic Old Testament story, betrayed by jealous brothers, Joseph (Adam Hashmi) defies all expectations and rises to incredible power in Egypt, second only to Pharaoh. But when his past catches up with him, he is confronted with the ultimate test.

[08/14/25 - 11:03 AM]
Boyd Holbrook Joins Omar Sy in the Upcoming Action Thriller Series Set in the "Extraction" Universe
The series comes from showrunner Glen Mazzara and is also executive produced by The Russo Brothers and Sam Hargrave.

[08/14/25 - 11:00 AM]
Say Hello to the Supes of "Vought Rising" - A New Origin Story Set in the World of "The Boys" - In Production This Month
Prime Video unveils first looks at Jensen Ackles as Soldier Boy; Mason Dye as Bombsight; Elizabeth Posey as Private Angel; and Will Hochman as Torpedo.

[08/14/25 - 10:37 AM]
Lifetime Greenlights Season 2 of "Dr. Pimple Popper: Breaking Out"
Production begins top of September on the new season.