Disney Sets ‘Descendants’ Sequel

Disney will develop a sequel to its successful original movie Descendants, the network said Thursday.

The movie, which starred Dove Cameron (Liv and Maddie) and Cameron Boyce (Jessie), delivered more than 12.2 million viewers in its July 31 premiere (Nielsen (Live+7 ratings) to become its fifth highest-rated movie of all time.

Descendants screenwriters Sara Parriott and Josann McGibbon will serve as executive producers on the Descendants 2 project, according to Gary Marsh, President and Chief Creative Officer, Disney Channels Worldwide.

"By almost every measure – domestically and globally – Descendants has already become one of the biggest entertainment properties of the year, and we're eager to delve deeper into the unfolding mythology of Auradon and Isle of the Lost,” Marsh said. “This kind of compelling, innovative storytelling, alongside our animated Descendants: Wicked World shorts and unique transmedia campaign, continues to lay the groundwork for multiple franchise opportunities across virtually every line of business at The Walt Disney Company."

R. Thomas Umstead

R. Thomas Umstead serves as senior content producer, programming for Multichannel News, Broadcasting + Cable and Next TV. During his more than 30-year career as a print and online journalist, Umstead has written articles on a variety of subjects ranging from TV technology, marketing and sports production to content distribution and development. He has provided expert commentary on television issues and trends for such TV, print, radio and streaming outlets as Fox News, CNBC, the Today show, USA Today, The New York Times and National Public Radio. Umstead has also filmed, produced and edited more than 100 original video interviews, profiles and news reports featuring key cable television executives as well as entertainers and celebrity personalities.