Australian Actor Mitchell Hope Joins Disney's DESCENDANTS Movie as 'Ben'

The Hollywood Reporter writes that Australian actor Mitchell Hope has signed on for Disney Channel's upcoming liv-action, original TV movie DESCENDANTS, about the children of classic Disney villains. Hope will play 'Ben', the teenage son of Belle and the Beast.

"We were intrigued by Mitchell's natural acting style, boyish charm and winning personality," said Judy Taylor, Disney Channel's senior vice president of casting and talent, "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."

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Hope will join just-announced cast member Dove Cameron (Liv and Maddie), who will star as 'Mal', daughter of Sleeping Beauty villain Maleficent. The film, written by Josann McGibbon and Sara Parriott, will be directed by HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL's Kenny Ortega.

As BWW previously reported, DESCENDANTS "is 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?"

Production is slated to begin in the spring. DESCENDANTS will premiere on Disney Channel in 2015.

Hope has appeared in two shorts - Yes Mum and Down the Way - as well as an episode of the TV mini-series Never Tear Us Apart: The Untold Story of INXS. This will be Hope's US debut.

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