Descendants: The Rise of Crimson is yet one more profitable entry within the Descendants franchise. A jaw-dropping 6.7M viewers watched the movie in its first three days of streaming on Disney+. It captured a brand new technology of followers. The movie follows the rebellious Crimson (Kylie Cantrall) who’s invited to enroll within the prestigious Auradon Prep, regardless of the isolation of Wonderland, dominated by her mom the Queen of Hearts (Rita Ora), from the dominion. When it’s revealed that the Queen of Hearts plans to take over the varsity, Crimson groups up with Ella (Malia Baker), the daughter of Cinderella (Brandy Norwood), to return in time to Merlin Academy to stop her mom from changing into so depraved.
One of many VK that Crimson and Ella encounter of their time-traveling journey is Uliana, the child sister of Ursula. Performed by Excessive College Musical: The Musical: This Collection star Dara Reneé, Uliana bullies the youthful variations of their moms (performed by Ruby Rose Turner and Morgan Dudley). For Reneé, the position of Uliana was the chance of a lifetime. “I’ve at all times wished to be VK,” admitted Reneé. “To have the ability to audition for Uliana was a dream in itself.” Reneé labored onerous to create a backstory explaining why her character was so imply. “She felt like she would get bullied by Ursula in any other case,” defined Reneé. “Uliana would moderately be hated by the varsity than picked on by her sister.”
Along with embracing her internal baddie, Reneé has made mates for all times along with her collection co-stars. “Our forged is so particular to me,” mentioned Reneé. “These individuals are so proficient and so variety and so wonderful.” Reneé is aware of it’s a “blessing” to be a part of the “new period” of the Descendants with a bunch that “respects the franchise” as a lot as she does. They even be in contact with a number of group chats. “One is known as Merlin Academy and that has all of us [in it],” mentioned Reneé. When requested who’s essentially the most energetic, Reneé didn’t hesitate. “Joshua [Colley, who plays the younger version of Hook].” “We’ll at all times ship one another TikToks,” mentioned Reneé.
Reneé stopped by the DECIDER studio after her unbelievable efficiency at Elsie Fest to speak about all issues Descendants, about stepping into character and in regards to the upcoming Descendants/ Zombies: Worlds Collide Tour.
DECIDER: The fan response to Descendants: The Rise of Crimson has been so overwhelmingly optimistic. What’s been the wildest a part of this expertise up to now?
DARA RENEÉ: The wildest a part of this expertise must be seeing folks cosplay as our characters. I knew our film was connecting with audiences, however seeing folks crocheting and stitching each single little element of our costumes into their very own appears to be like? I used to be like, “what is going on?” I’ve by no means skilled something like this earlier than. Even with Excessive College Musical: The Musical: The Collection, we by no means had folks dressed up as our characters. It’s a bit insane, however I’m so, so grateful.
What I really like most in regards to the Descendants forged is how extremely tight you’re with each other. You may’t go into certainly one of your Instagram posts with out seeing that—
All of us? [Laughs]
Proper! How vital has the Descendants household been to you throughout this course of?
So vital! Our forged is so particular to me. These individuals are so proficient and so variety and so wonderful. Even once we have been filming, they helped me and taught me so many alternative classes simply by being their fantastic, lovely selves. I’ve wished to be part of the Descendants since I used to be a bit child. It’s been a blessing to be part of this new period with a bunch that feels precisely the way in which I do and respects the franchise as a lot as I do.
Is there a bunch chat?
[Laughs] Yeah, there’s a few group chats. One is known as Merlin Academy and that’s all of us.
Who’s essentially the most energetic within the Merlin Academy group chat?
Joshua [Colley]! Joshua is essentially the most energetic. Properly, so are Kylie and Malia and Ruby. As soon as one begins up within the group chat, all of us chime in. We at all times ship one another TikToks that individuals have made impressed by our scenes and characters. We’ll simply be like, “oh my gosh, take a look at this, take a look at this, take a look at this.”
You’re such a pleasant, joyful individual, which makes your efficiency because the evil Uliana much more wonderful. Why have been you so excited to play a VK?
VKs are freaking wonderful. Once I was watching the unique Descendants, the OG VKs have been actually impeccable. I’ve at all times wished to be a VK. To have the ability to audition for Uliana was a dream in itself. I used to be like, “I”ll play a tree so long as I may be on the VK facet.” Once I came upon that I used to be going to be Uliana, I used to be like, “oh my gosh, reward God.” Once I noticed the costume, all the pieces got here collectively for the character. I really like taking part in a villain. I like to recommend it for everybody.
Uliana is the aunt of Uma, performed by China Anne McClain. How excited have been you to see China return for Descendants: The Rise Of Crimson?
Shout out to China Anna McClain. That’s the queen proper there! I knew China from Home of Payne, A.N.T. Farm, and Daddy’s Little Women. I’ve been such a fan of hers, and I’ve at all times dreamed of working along with her. The final time I met her in individual was after I was in line on the Sherman Oaks Galleria down in Woodland Hills. She was doing a signing for A.N.T. Farm, and I stood in line for 3 hours with my fedora, leopard shirt and zebra pants. She mentioned I regarded fabulous. I’m very grateful that she mentioned that as a result of in hindsight, it was a tough look [laughs]. She was simply so variety. I keep in mind pondering to myself, “if I ever get to that degree, I wish to deal with all people the way in which she handled me in line.”
You’re the first individual to play Uliana in Descendants lore. Did you’ve got a backstory in your thoughts for her, aside from her being Ursula’s child sister?
Sure [laughs]. I’m a theater child, so I did full character growth. I had a journal and a playlist and all the pieces. Shout out to Tim [Federle] as a result of after I first acquired the position of Courtney in HSMTMTS, he made all of us packets telling us what we should always do for our character and all the pieces. I took it with me to Descendants and Uliana.
To me, Uliana may be very misunderstood. She comes from this large household. King Triton is their brother. Everybody simply anticipated Uliana to be naturally evil as a result of Ursula is so unhealthy. She felt stress to dwell as much as Ursula’s popularity when she acquired to Merlin Academy. She felt like she would get bullied by Ursula in any other case. Uliana would moderately be hated by the varsity than picked on by her sister. In fact, none of that is confirmed to be reality. It’s simply how I interpreted the character .
Uliana is concerned in a few knockout numbers, together with “Good Revenge.” How lengthy did it’s important to rehearse for the film?
We had such wonderful choreographers. They have been so cool that it didn’t even really feel like rehearsal. It felt like we have been taking part in. We had a full month to rehearse the stunts, the choreography, and the blocking. Three hours a day for choreography would possibly seem to be loads, however time actually flew by. I’d be dancing for an hour, then up within the air for an hour, and earlier than I knew it, it was lunchtime.
You point out being airborne. How did you’re employed Uliana’s CGI tentacles into your efficiency since you have been actually excessive within the air throughout some scenes?
To start with, I needed to put on a backpack with pool noodles protruding. They represented my tentacles for blocking functions. It was so enjoyable. I had simply gotten over my worry of heights—shout out once more to Tim and HSMTMTS—so I used to be excited to be within the air. All of the in-air choreography was such a core exercise. I’ve abs now.
One thing I maintain seeing on TikTok is Uliana’s transition to a flamingo. Describe filming that sequence?
I used to be so within the second. Too within the second, possibly! They didn’t put this within the film, however there was a take through which I dropped on the ground and jerked my physique throughout as if the transformation was painful. I actually went hardcore. After we determined to drag it again a bit, they requested if I may sound like a flamingo. So, I used to be up all evening attempting to sound like a Flamingo. You hear the Flamingo within the film? That’s me [laughs]. It’s my voice and a flamingo sound blended collectively. The sound was initially presupposed to be haunting, but it surely was a bit too scary for the youngsters. I liked the way it all turned out although.
The tip of Descendants: The Rise Of Crimson positively leaves issues open for a sequel. How do you think about Uliana would match into a possible sequel?
Properly, you understand what? I’ll pitch it to you want I pitched to Disney [laughs]. No, I’m simply kidding. Although, I believe if you time journey, issues get tousled, proper? What I’m guessing is that the portal has been left open and Uliana and her gang, Bridget and Ella, all sneak by the portal and get to satisfy older variations of ourselves. Possibly I’m simply envisioning this as a result of I wish to have a scene with each Rita Ora and Brandy. Who is aware of? All of us are available, we’ve a music and we trigger some bother. Actually, I simply wish to go to Wonderland and meet Rita.
You’re about to embark on the Descendants/Zombies: Worlds Collide Tour subsequent 12 months. What are you most enthusiastic about?
All the pieces! I can’t imagine I’m occurring tour. Thanks, Disney [laughs]. I’ve by no means skilled something like this or been on tour . I’ve by no means been to many of the cities that we’ll be visiting. I can’t wait to journey and see new locations and meet the followers. I’m so freaking excited.