Wikipedia

Descendants 2

Descendants 2 is an American musical fantasy[2] television film. It premiered as a Disney Channel Original Movie on July 21, 2017, and was simulcast on Disney-owned networks ABC, Disney XD, Freeform, Lifetime, and Lifetime Movies.[1] It is the second installment in the Descendants franchise and the sequel to the 2015 film Descendants. The film stars Dove Cameron, Cameron Boyce, Sofia Carson, Booboo Stewart, Mitchell Hope, and China Anne McClain.[3][4] A third film, Descendants 3, premiered on August 2, 2019.[5]

Descendants 2
Promotional poster
Genre
Written by
Directed byKenny Ortega
Starring
ComposerDavid Lawrence
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
Production
Executive producers
CinematographyMark Irwin
EditorDon Brochu
Running time111 minutes
Production companies
  • Bad Angels Productions
  • 5678 Productions
  • Disney Channel Original Productions
Original release
Network
ReleaseJuly 21, 2017 (2017-07-21)[1]

Plot

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Mal struggles with her new celebrity life as the girlfriend of King Ben, putting a spell on her hair making it blonde, and uncomfortably maintaining a princess-like personality. She confides her issues in her friends Evie, Carlos, and Jay, but they are content with their new lives in Auradon.

Evie scolds Mal for relying on her mother's spell book to solve her issues. Carlos, wishing to ask Jane to the upcoming Cotillion dance, turns to Mal for help. She gives him a sweet that will make him speak the truth, but his dog, Dude, eats it, magically speaking the blunt truth in English.

Ben eventually discovers Mal's reliance on magic, and she comes clean about her insecurities, causing a falling-out. Mal returns to the Isle of the Lost, now ruled by her former rival Uma, Ursula's daughter, along with Harry and Gil, the sons of Captain Hook and Gaston. Mal visits hairstylist Dizzy Tremaine, Drizella's daughter, who restores her signature purple hair. Harry learns of Mal's return and informs Uma.

Ben, Evie, Jay, and Carlos learn of Mal's departure so sneak onto the Isle to find her, but Gil recognizes them. Ben confronts Mal, who rejects his feelings for both his sake and Auradon's. He leaves dejected, only to be captured by Uma. Mal and Uma arm wrestle for Ben and Fairy Godmother's wand, which Uma wins. Uma then orders Mal and her friends to retrieve the Fairy Godmother's wand in exchange for Ben's safe return.

Carlos and Jay return to Auradon Prep, where they create a replica of the wand using a 3D printer. They are caught by Lonnie, Mulan's daughter, who blackmails them into letting her come, having previously been rejected from Jay's sports team based on her gender.

Uma tells Ben of her bitterness that she and the others were not chosen to go to Auradon. He takes this into account and invites her to Auradon, but she instead plots to make her own way there. Mal's group returns, handing over the fake wand in exchange for Ben, but Uma discovers the forgery.

The group flee back to Auradon, but Mal and Ben's relationship is still rocky. The villains' children come to terms that they cannot run from their pasts and agree to be honest with themselves and each other. Carlos confesses to Jane but struggles, while Jay appoints Lonnie as the captain of his team.

Aboard a ship during the Cotillion, Ben stuns everyone by appearing with Uma, who he declares as his true love and announces he will destroy the barrier on the Isle. Jane unveils a stained glass display Ben commissioned to show his affection for Mal, who realizes he loved her for who she was all along.

Suspecting Uma has given him a love potion, Mal confesses her love for Ben and kisses him, breaking the spell. Enraged, Uma leaps into the water using Ursula's magic seashell necklace to transform into a cecaelia, and Mal fights back as a dragon. Ben intervenes, quelling the battle, and Uma returns the ring that Ben had originally given her when he had declared her as his true love and leaves. Mal and Ben reunite, Mal surrendering her spell book to Fairy Godmother. Evie requests that Dizzy be allowed to attend Auradon Prep; when Dizzy is offered, she excitedly accepts.

In a mid-credits scene, Uma addresses the audience, promising that the story is not over.

Cast

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Production

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Cameron Boyce and Dove Cameron talking about Descendants 2

Development

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At the 2015 D23 Expo, Disney announced that a Descendants sequel film had been ordered.[11] An official announcement was made on Disney Channel's Facebook page on October 15, 2015.[12] Deadline Hollywood reported that Parriott and McGibbon would return as screenwriters and executive producers for the sequel and that the cast from the first film was expected to return.[13]

According to China Anne McClain, the post-credits scene featuring Uma saying to the public that "You didn’t think this was the end of the story?" was not included in the original script that she read. However, it was eventually decided to include it in order to foreshadow a possible further sequel, like in the case of the original film.[14]

Casting

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On June 10, 2016, China Anne McClain, who was already voicing Freddie on the Descendants spinoff series Descendants: Wicked World, was announced to be playing Ursula's daughter, Uma, in Descendants 2.[4] In July 2016 it was revealed that Thomas Doherty would play the role of Harry, the son of Captain Hook.[7] In August 2016, Sarah Jeffery who portrays Audrey revealed that she would not be returning, while Brenna D'Amico revealed that she would be returning in Descendants 2, as were Dianne Doan, Jedidiah Goodacre, and Zachary Gibson.[6] On July 19, 2017, it was announced on The View that Whoopi Goldberg would be providing the voice for Ursula, the Sea Witch and Uma's mother.[15][16]

Filming

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Filming began on September 8, 2016,[17] and wrapped on October 27, 2016.[18] Like Descendants, mostly took place in Vancouver and Victoria, Canada.[17]

Broadcast

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Descendants 2 made its debut on Disney Channel in Canada on July 21, 2017, at the same time as the United States. In the United States, the film premiered simultaneously across six-Disney owned networks: Disney Channel, Disney XD, Freeform, ABC, Lifetime, and Lifetime Movies.[1] On Disney Channel, the film premiered alongside the world premiere of Raven's Home, which premiered immediately after.[19] In the UK, the film premiered on Disney Channel and Disney XD on October 20, 2017.[20] In South Africa, the film premiered on October 6, 2017.[21] In India, the film premiered on December 23, 2018, on Disney International HD.[22]

Home media

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Descendants 2 was released on DVD on August 15, 2017.[23] The film sold 123,760 DVDs in its first week, making it the most sold film in the United States. Overall, the film sold 837,912 DVDs and made $13 million through home media releases.[24]

Reception

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Ratings

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In total, the film was viewed by 8.92 million viewers across six networks on the night of its premiere, up from its predecessor in 2015; at least 13 million people watched a minute of the film.[25] On Disney Channel, the film was watched by 5.33 million viewers, and topped the night on cable television, receiving a 1.20 rating. Although down from the first film, it was the most-viewed telecast on the network since the first film.[26] ABC's broadcast of the film received a 0.6/3 rating/share, drawing 2.41 million viewers; 0.47 million viewers watched the film on Disney XD with a 0.12 rating, 0.30 million viewers watched the film on Lifetime with a 0.09 rating, 0.26 million viewers watched the film on Freeform with a 0.08 rating, and 0.15 million viewers watched the film on Lifetime Movies with a 0.05 rating.[27][28] In delayed viewing, the film rose to a total of 21 million viewers.[29]

On Disney Channel, the film placed second in the week of its DVR ratings, jumping 92% to a 2.3 rating, and topped the week in viewer gains, jumping 104% with an additional 5.54 million viewers, the biggest viewer gain on cable television in two years, totaling to 10.90 million viewers on Disney Channel. On Freeform, the film jumped 207% with an additional 0.54 million viewers, totaling to 0.80 million viewers on the network; on Lifetime Movie Network, the film gained 96% with an additional 0.14 million viewers, totaling to 0.29 million viewers on the network.[30]

Accolades

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Year Award Category Recipients Result Ref(s)
2018 Saturn Awards Best Television Presentation Descendants 2 Nominated [31]
[32]
2018 Imagen Foundation Awards Best Supporting Actress – Television Sofia Carson Nominated [33]
[34]
2018 Motion Picture Sound Editors Awards Outstanding Achievement in Sound Editing – Music Score and Musical for Episodic Long Form Broadcast Media Amber Funk and Richard David Brown Nominated [35]

Soundtrack

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Main article: Descendants 2 (Original TV Movie Soundtrack)

Descendants 2 (Original TV Movie Soundtrack) is the soundtrack accompanying the film of the same name.[36] The soundtrack and lead single, "Ways to Be Wicked", was announced on April 12, 2017. The soundtrack was released on July 21, 2017.[37]

Sequel

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Main article: Descendants 3

On February 16, 2018, Disney Channel announced that a sequel, Descendants 3, was scheduled to premiere mid-2019.[5] It premiered on August 2, 2019.

Novel: Rise of the Isle of the Lost

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A prequel novel called Rise of the Isle of the Lost was released on May 23, 2017.[38] The novel details Uma's rise to power and her earlier history with Mal. The main plot details Uma planning to get the migrating trident of King Triton in order to help bring down the barrier surrounding the Isle of the Lost.

In addition to the mentioning of Genie, Grumpy, and Merriwether being teachers at Auradon Prep, a third school called the Serpent Preparatory School for the Education of Miscreants is located on the Isle of the Lost which Uma and Harry Hook attended. Serpent Prep is a rival of Dragon Hall, where Mal, Jay, Carlos, Gil, and eventually Evie were educated.

The book also introduced Yen Sid's Auradon intern Sophie, Ariel's niece Arabella, and Mulan and Shang's son Li'l Shang who is Lonnie's brother. There was a mentioning that the Stabbington brothers from Tangled are also on the Isle of the Lost where they have Stabbington Cousins. Other information listed here that was later referenced in the film was Audrey and Chad breaking up, the introduction of R.O.A.R., Mal keeping Maleficent's lizard form as a pet, and Evie having her magic mirror placed in the museum.

References

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  1. ^ a b c Saval, Malina (July 12, 2017). "'Descendants 2' Cast Talks 'Bigger' Sets and Musical Numbers at Disney Channel Premiere". Variety. Archived from the original on July 16, 2017. Retrieved July 17, 2017.
  2. ^ Mendelson, Scott (July 12, 2017). "Review: 'Descendants 2' Is A Darker, Deeper, Better Sequel". Forbes. Archived from the original on August 5, 2019. Retrieved August 5, 2019.
  3. ^ a b Swift, Andy (June 10, 2016). "Descendants 2 Premiering in 2017; China Anne McClain Cast as Ursula". TVLine. Archived from the original on July 29, 2016. Retrieved July 27, 2016.
  4. ^ a b Lincoln, Ross A. (June 10, 2016). "'Descendants 2' Greenlighted By Disney Channel For 2017, New Characters Added". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on July 9, 2016. Retrieved July 27, 2016.
  5. ^ a b Lawrence, Derek (February 16, 2018). "Disney Channel officially announces Descendants 3". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on February 17, 2018. Retrieved February 16, 2018.
  6. ^ a b c d e Kowalski, Kristine Hope (August 12, 2016). "OMG: Are There Major Cast Shakeups Happening In 'Descendants 2'?". Twist. Archived from the original on August 17, 2016. Retrieved August 18, 2016.
  7. ^ a b Bentley, Jean (August 18, 2016). "Meet Descendants 2's Newest Villain Offspring: Captain Hook's Son, Harry". E! Online News. Archived from the original on August 19, 2016. Retrieved August 18, 2016.
  8. ^ "'Descendants 2' casts Gaston's son — exclusive". Entertainment Weekly. August 19, 2016. Archived from the original on November 12, 2019. Retrieved April 17, 2020.
  9. ^ "Drizella's Daughter Has Been Cast in Descendants 2 and She is Adorable". Oh My Disney. August 25, 2016. Archived from the original on September 19, 2016. Retrieved August 26, 2016.
  10. ^ a b "In an Unprecedented, Far-reaching Programming Event, the Disney Channel Original Movie 'Descendants 2' Will Have a Simultaneous Premiere on Five Television Networks Within the Disney|ABC Television Group" (Press release). Disney|ABC Television Group. April 25, 2017. Archived from the original on April 20, 2019. Retrieved June 15, 2017.
  11. ^ Swift, Andy (August 15, 2015). "Descendants Sequel Ordered at Disney Channel". Yahoo!. Archived from the original on December 2, 2020. Retrieved August 13, 2016.
  12. ^ "It's official. Descendants 2 is in the works!". Disney Channel. October 15, 2015. Archived from the original on December 2, 2020. Retrieved October 15, 2015 – via Facebook.
  13. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (October 15, 2015). "'Descendants' Sequel Set At Disney Channel". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on October 16, 2015. Retrieved October 15, 2015.
  14. ^ "'Descendants 2' Cast Talks About That Cliffhanger and Hopes for 'Descendants 3'". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on January 25, 2018. Retrieved January 7, 2018.
  15. ^ "Whoopi Goldberg cast as Ursula in Descendants 2". Entertainment Weekly. July 20, 2017. Archived from the original on April 19, 2020. Retrieved April 17, 2020.
  16. ^ "Whoopi Goldberg Is the Voice of Uma's Mom Ursula in Descendants 2". Oh My Disney. July 20, 2017. Archived from the original on October 4, 2017. Retrieved July 21, 2017.
  17. ^ a b "Disney Descendants 2 Starts Filming in British Columbia in September". whatsfilming.ca. June 21, 2016. Archived from the original on August 4, 2020. Retrieved March 1, 2020.
  18. ^ @DisneyBrandTVPR (October 27, 2016). "That's a wrap! #Descendants2 cast wrapped production today -- and we're eager to debut their work in 2017. #D2Deets" (Tweet). Retrieved September 22, 2024 – via Twitter.
  19. ^ "What to Watch Tonight – Raven's Home Begins, Descendants 2, Ozark and More". TVLine. July 21, 2017. Archived from the original on February 4, 2018. Retrieved February 3, 2018.
  20. ^ Currinn, Jonathan (September 9, 2022). "The UK Release Date of Descendants 2 Has Been Announced". CelebMix. Retrieved March 19, 2023.
  21. ^ "Disney's Descendants Descend on SA". news24. October 6, 2017. Retrieved March 19, 2023.
  22. ^ "'Descendants 2' to premier on Disney International HD on Dec 23 - Exchange4media". Indian Advertising Media & Marketing News – exchange4media. Archived from the original on June 7, 2019. Retrieved June 6, 2019.
  23. ^ "Home Market Releases for August 15th, 2017". The Numbers. August 16, 2017. Archived from the original on March 6, 2021. Retrieved March 6, 2021.
  24. ^ "Descendants 2". The Numbers. Nash Information Services, LLC. Archived from the original on March 6, 2021. Retrieved March 6, 2021.
  25. ^ "'Descendants 2' is bigger (but also smaller) than its predecessor [Updated]". TV by the Numbers. July 24, 2017. Archived from the original on July 23, 2017. Retrieved July 24, 2017.
  26. ^ "Disney's "Descendants 2" Amasses 13 Million Total Viewers Across Its Disney Channel, ABC, Disney XD, Freeform, Lifetime and Lifetime Movies Simulcast Premieres". The Futon Critic. July 24, 2017. Retrieved July 24, 2017.
  27. ^ "Friday cable ratings: 'Descendants 2' gives Disney the win". TV by the Numbers. July 24, 2017. Archived from the original on July 25, 2017. Retrieved July 24, 2017.
  28. ^ "'Big Brother' and 'Descendants 2' adjust up: Friday final ratings". TV by the Numbers. July 24, 2017. Archived from the original on July 25, 2017. Retrieved July 24, 2017.
  29. ^ "'Descendants 2' Rises to 21 Million Viewers in Delayed Viewing". Variety. July 26, 2017. Archived from the original on July 26, 2017. Retrieved July 26, 2017.
  30. ^ "'Game of Thrones,' 'Descendants 2' make big gains in cable Live +7 ratings for July 17–23". Variety. August 3, 2017. Archived from the original on August 4, 2017. Retrieved August 10, 2017.
  31. ^ McNary, Dave (March 15, 2018). "'Black Panther,' 'Walking Dead' Rule Saturn Awards Nominations". Variety. Archived from the original on March 16, 2018. Retrieved March 15, 2018.
  32. ^ Hammond, Pete (June 27, 2018). "'Black Panther' Tops 44th Saturn Awards With Five; 'Blade Runner 2049', 'Shape Of Water', 'Get Out' Also Score". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on June 28, 2018. Retrieved February 23, 2021.
  33. ^ Sanchez, Omar (July 10, 2018). "Imagen Awards: Complete List of Nominees". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on February 3, 2021. Retrieved February 23, 2021.
  34. ^ Ramos, Dino-Ray (August 26, 2018). "Imagen Awards: 'One Day At A Time', 'Coco' Among Honorees – Full Winners List". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on August 26, 2018. Retrieved November 16, 2022.
  35. ^ Giardina, Carolyn (February 18, 2018). "Golden Reel Awards: Oscar Nominees 'Blade Runner 2049,' 'Dunkirk' Among Sound Editor Winners". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on February 19, 2018. Retrieved February 23, 2021.
  36. ^ ""Descendants 2" Stars Debut "Ways To Be Wicked," The First Single From The Movie's Soundtrack, Tomorrow On Radio Disney" (Press release). Walt Disney Records. April 12, 2017. Archived from the original on April 15, 2017. Retrieved April 12, 2017 – via PR Newswire.
  37. ^ "The Track List for the Descendants 2 Soundtrack Has Dropped and We Are Intrigued". OhMyDisney. April 12, 2017. Archived from the original on April 17, 2017. Retrieved April 12, 2017.
  38. ^ Laura Yeffeth, Clamp Design (June 23, 2017). "Rise of the Isle of the Lost: A Descendants Novel". Melissa de la Cruz. Archived from the original on July 28, 2017. Retrieved August 9, 2017.
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