Disney’s mega-hit Descendants franchise will return this summer with The Rise of Red. The film sees former Villain Kid Uma return as headmaster of Auradon Prep.

China Anne McClain returns to the franchise to reprise her role as Uma, daughter of Disney villain Ursula. McClain appeared as the character in the films Descendants 2 and 3. 

When discussing her return to the franchise, McClain made reference to the 2019 loss of her co-star, Cameron Boyce.

“I was apprehensive to revisit the Descendants world at first, because losing Cam was the first heartbreak I’ve ever experienced. But once I saw how excited the new generation of kids were, it reminded me of myself when we created the original films,” McClain said in a statement.

Boyce, who played Carlos, son of Cruella de Vil, in the first three Descendants films, died after an epileptic seizure in 2019. Disney Channel dedicated the third film to Boyce’s memory.

“There’s one scene that is very special to me, I’m sure the audience will be able to guess which one it is once they see the movie,” McClain said. “Stepping back into Uma was very fulfilling, and healing for me.”

In Descendants: The Rise of Red, Auradon Prep Headmaster Uma extends an invite to the school to another Villain Kid – Red, the rebellious daughter of the tyrannical Queen of Hearts from Wonderland. 

The Queen of Hearts has long held a grudge against Auradon, and especially Cinderella, and seizes the opportunity to seek revenge when she drops her daughter off at school. When the Queen of Hearts incites a coup against Auradon, Red must team up with Cinderella’s perfectionist daughter Chloe and travel back in time to try to undo the traumatic event that set Red’s mother down her villainous path.

You can check out the first promo for Descendants: The Rise of Red teasing McClain’s return as Uma below.

Descendants: The Rise of Red will premiere on Disney+ this summer. Until then, check back to THS for more updates.

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