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Brandy and Rita Ora Return as Cinderella and Queen of Hearts in Disneys Descendants: Wicked Wonderland
Brandy Norwood and Rita Ora will reprise their roles as Cinderella and the Queen of Hearts in Disney’s fifth Descendants film, Descendants: Wicked Wonderland. The movie premiered on Disney Channel on Wednesday, July 16 2026, and began streaming on Disney+ the following day.
Descendants: Wicked Wonderland follows the story that began in the original 2015 film and has continued through four sequels. The fourth installment, Descendants: The Rise of Red, was released on Disney+ in July 2024 and introduced the teenage children of Disney villains as protagonists. The new film, directed by Kimmy Gatewood, is a direct sequel to The Rise of Red and places the characters in the world of Wonderland.
In a recent interview with ABC News entertainment contributor Kelley Carter for Good Morning America, the actresses discussed their return. Rita Ora said she was attracted to the “complexity” of playing the Queen of Hearts, noting that the character’s motives are “not always clear.” Brandy added that her portrayal of Cinderella now includes “villain pants,” a new element that adds a darker edge to the classic princess.
The pair also previewed a duet that will appear in the film. Brandy described the track, titled “The Girl I Used to Be,” as a “magical” moment that fans will enjoy. Ora echoed this enthusiasm, saying the collaboration had been “years in the making” and that working with Brandy was a dream, citing their long‑standing friendship.
The film’s cast includes returning actors Kylie Cantrall as Red, the daughter of the Queen of Hearts, and Malia Baker as Chloe Charming, the daughter of Cinderella and Prince Charming. Supporting roles are filled by China Anne McClain as Uma and Melanie Paxson as the Fairy Godmother, characters that appeared in earlier Descendants films.
Descendants: Wicked Wonderland was announced in June 2026, with a trailer released on June 8 that highlighted the Kingdom Cup Games and the challenges Red and Chloe face after altering time. The screenplay was written by Tamara Chestna, Dan Frey, and Ru Sommer, and the film’s production was handled by Disney Channel.
The soundtrack for the film was released on July 17 2026 by Walt Disney Records. The lead single, “Perfect Princess,” was made available on June 12, and a second single, “Mad – Wicked Wonderland,” followed shortly thereafter. The soundtrack features performances by the film’s cast and aligns with the musical style that has become a hallmark of the franchise.
Disney’s decision to bring back Brandy and Rita Ora aligns with the company’s broader strategy of leveraging familiar Disney properties for new audiences. The Descendants series has consistently drawn viewers across Disney Channel and Disney+, and the addition of a well‑known soundtrack release supports the franchise’s cross‑platform presence.
As of now, the film’s premiere on Disney Channel and its subsequent streaming launch on Disney+ have been confirmed. The Descendants franchise continues to expand its narrative universe, and the return of key performers like Brandy and Rita Ora is expected to reinforce the series’ popularity among its core demographic.
The next steps for the franchise include the promotion of the film’s soundtrack and potential live‑event appearances by the cast, though no official dates have been announced.
Descendants: Wicked Wonderland follows the story that began in the original 2015 film and has continued through four sequels. The fourth installment, Descendants: The Rise of Red, was released on Disney+ in July 2024 and introduced the teenage children of Disney villains as protagonists. The new film, directed by Kimmy Gatewood, is a direct sequel to The Rise of Red and places the characters in the world of Wonderland.
In a recent interview with ABC News entertainment contributor Kelley Carter for Good Morning America, the actresses discussed their return. Rita Ora said she was attracted to the “complexity” of playing the Queen of Hearts, noting that the character’s motives are “not always clear.” Brandy added that her portrayal of Cinderella now includes “villain pants,” a new element that adds a darker edge to the classic princess.
The pair also previewed a duet that will appear in the film. Brandy described the track, titled “The Girl I Used to Be,” as a “magical” moment that fans will enjoy. Ora echoed this enthusiasm, saying the collaboration had been “years in the making” and that working with Brandy was a dream, citing their long‑standing friendship.
The film’s cast includes returning actors Kylie Cantrall as Red, the daughter of the Queen of Hearts, and Malia Baker as Chloe Charming, the daughter of Cinderella and Prince Charming. Supporting roles are filled by China Anne McClain as Uma and Melanie Paxson as the Fairy Godmother, characters that appeared in earlier Descendants films.
Descendants: Wicked Wonderland was announced in June 2026, with a trailer released on June 8 that highlighted the Kingdom Cup Games and the challenges Red and Chloe face after altering time. The screenplay was written by Tamara Chestna, Dan Frey, and Ru Sommer, and the film’s production was handled by Disney Channel.
The soundtrack for the film was released on July 17 2026 by Walt Disney Records. The lead single, “Perfect Princess,” was made available on June 12, and a second single, “Mad – Wicked Wonderland,” followed shortly thereafter. The soundtrack features performances by the film’s cast and aligns with the musical style that has become a hallmark of the franchise.
Disney’s decision to bring back Brandy and Rita Ora aligns with the company’s broader strategy of leveraging familiar Disney properties for new audiences. The Descendants series has consistently drawn viewers across Disney Channel and Disney+, and the addition of a well‑known soundtrack release supports the franchise’s cross‑platform presence.
As of now, the film’s premiere on Disney Channel and its subsequent streaming launch on Disney+ have been confirmed. The Descendants franchise continues to expand its narrative universe, and the return of key performers like Brandy and Rita Ora is expected to reinforce the series’ popularity among its core demographic.
The next steps for the franchise include the promotion of the film’s soundtrack and potential live‑event appearances by the cast, though no official dates have been announced.