New Disney Channel movie finds its lead in Australian newcomer

Disney Channel has just cast Australian newcomer, Mitchell Hope in its live-action adventure, Descendents. Mitchell Hope has been cast to play Ben, the son of Beauty (Queen) and the Beast (King). Hope will join just announced cast member Dove Cameron (Liv & Maddie), who will star as Mal, daughter of Maleficent, the malevolent villain from Sleeping Beauty. Descendents set in a present day idyllic kingdom, where the benevolent teenaged son of the King and Queen (Beast and Belle from Disney's Beauty and the Beast) is poised to take the throne. His first proclamation: offer a chance at redemption to the trouble-making offspring of Cruella De Vil, Maleficent, the Evil Queen and Jafar who have been imprisoned on a Forbidden island with all the other villains, sidekicks, evil step-mothers and step-sisters. These villainous descendants (Carlos, Mal, Evvie and Jay, respectively) are allowed into the kingdom to attend prep school alongside the offspring of iconic Disney heroes including Fairy Godmother, Sleeping Beauty, Rapunzel and Mulan. However, the evil teens face a dilemma. Should they follow in their nefarious parents' footsteps and help all the villains regain power or embrace their innate goodness and save the kingdom? The film will be written by Josann McGibbon (Runaway Bride, Desperate Housewives) and Sara Parriott (The Starter Wife) and directed by Kenny Ortega (High School Musical). The film’s scheduled to start production in spring 2014, slated for a 2015 premiere. Judy Taylor Disney Channel's senior VP, casting and talent said: "We were intrigued by Mitchell's natural acting style, boyish charm and winning personality, and when we brought him to Los Angeles to read opposite Dove [Cameron], it was apparent that he embodied the inherent good nature of 'Ben' and the sense of fairness that the character represents." Hope’s previous work includes TV mini-series Never Tear Us Apart: the Untold Story of INXS.