The cast Descendants: The Rise of Red keeps the legacy of the late Cameron Boyce alive.
At the D23 convention on August 9, the cast of the Disney+ spinoff, which follows a new group of characters at Auradon Prep, stopped by the PEOPLE suite to discuss the film, which features Uma (China Anne McClain) now in charge, instead of the new rule that allows children from all over the kingdom to attend the school, including Red (Kylie Cantrall), daughter of the Queen of Hearts (Rita Ora).
During the conversation, they discussed the legacy that Boyce – who starred in the original three films alongside Dove Cameron, Sofia Carson and Booboo Stewart – left behind on the franchise.
Joshua Colley said the film “continues [Boyce’s] legacy”, as the actor – who tragically passed away aged 20 due to complications from epilepsy in 2019 – and his beloved character Carlos were honored in Rise of the Red and Descendants: The Royal Wedding. “I know he’s honored in our film, so we always just want to honor the work he’s done and the talent he’s [had].”
Peder Lindell dismissed his co-star’s comments, calling Boyce “an amazing actor” and saying: “The reality is he would just walk away.”
Colley, 22, added that Boyce set the “highest” bar for the cast. “I hope we met the bar he set for us.”
Cameron Boyce attends the Annual LAFH Awards and LA Family Housing Fundraiser at The Lot on April 25, 2019 in West Hollywood, California.
Jon Kopaloff/Getty
How Descendants: The Rise of Red Tribute to Cameron Boyce and his character Carlos (Exclusive)
Dara Reneé, who plays Uliana in the new film, said Boyce’s “legacy is so influential,” as she shared, “He was a wonderful human being. I didn’t get the chance to meet him, but every person I spoke to said is only good things, and that’s very rare in this business, so the fact that he has that legacy and continues it and that he can grow up with someone like that, it was a great honor for me. that.”
Ruby Rose Turner called the late actor “a gift — not just to this franchise — but just to the industry.”
Like Lindell, she reflected on Boyce still being here, “Whatever he decides to do now would be amazing and so attractive to him. And I wish he was here so we could all see it.”
Cast of Descendants.
David Bukach/Disney Channel via Getty
Turner added that the films “would never have been the same without Cameron,” while Malia Baker shared that “you can feel” his legacy on set.
“Watching him on screen — I’ve never met him in person, but I feel like I can feel his energy just by how vibrant he is and how special he was on screen and in his essence,” added Morgan Dudley. “I don’t think it will ever go away. And that’s what did it Descendants so special. He brought so much to it, just his life.”
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Stars have already spoken about Boyce’s legacy, with Reneé telling PEOPLE, “We couldn’t have done this without him. Descendants it wouldn’t be what it is without him. You simply cannot continue the story without paying homage to the most important part Descendants.”
Meanwhile, McClain added that she is “scared” to do another one Descendants film after Boyce’s death.
“Cam was the first heartbreak I ever experienced,” she said in an exclusive statement to PEOPLE. “But when I saw how excited the new generation of kids were, it reminded me of myself when we were making the original movies.”
Cast of Descendants: The Rise of Red.
Disney/Quantrell Colbert
The latest movie, Descendants: The Rise of Redseems to leave the door open for new installments down the road with its cliffhanger ending. During previous interviews with PEOPLE ahead of the premiere, Cantrall and Baker expressed their desire to return for another film.
“Hopefully,” Baker said of the potential sequel, adding that she personally would enjoy seeing Cinderella and the land of King Charming explored in more detail in another film. “I’d like to see more of Chloe’s home life and how it’s changed since she came back,” she said.
Meanwhile, Cantrall said she’d like to see Reda’s new dynamic with her mom. “It’s going to change their relationship drastically, so I’m interested to see how it’s going to work,” she said. “Also, Red and Chloe and them being really close now, I think that’s going to be great to watch.”
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Brandy, Malia Baker and Paolo Montalban in Descendants: The Rise of Red.
Disney/Quantrell Colbert
Additionally, Brandy and Paolo Montalban, reprising their roles as Cinderella and Prince Charming more than two decades after starring in Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderellathey can’t wait to play the characters again.
“You know we’ll be open to another one Descendants”, said Brandy. “I am open to everything. I just want to see how far I can take the characters because the sky’s the limit.”
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Descendants: The Rise of Red currently airing on Disney+
Categories: Trends
Source: HIS Education