Disney's Descendants Franchise Expands: What This Means for Family Viewing Habits The latest casting announcements for "Hidden Heroes: A Descendants Story" reveal six new additions to the film, including Darren Criss as Jiminy Cricket and Sherry Cola as Yzma.
At first glance, this seems like a minor development in an already sprawling franchise. However, viewed through the lens of Disney's broader strategy for family viewing, these announcements signal a significant shift.
Disney has long been adept at tapping into nostalgia to drive viewership. The Descendants franchise, which originated with the 2015 film "Descendants," has become a cash cow for the company.