Dove Cameron to Star as Maleficent's Daughter in Disney Channel Original Movie DESCENDANTS

Variety reports that Dove Cameron (Liv and Maddie) is set to play 'Mal', daughter of Sleeping Beauty villain Maleficent, in Disney Channel's upcoming live-action, original TV movie DESCENDANTS, about the children of classic Disney evildoers.

"Dove is a multi-dimensional actress whose undeniable charisma allows her to conjure the many facets of Mal, the sharp-edged yet vulnerable daughter of one of Disney's most wicked villains," said Judy Taylor, Disney Channel Worldwide's senior VP of casting and talent relations.

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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. DESCENDENTS will premiere on Disney Channel in 2015.

Cameron will next appear in Barely Lethal and the TV movie Cloud 9. She is well known for her starring role in the Disney Channel series Liv and Maddie. Her other TV credits include Bits and Pieces, The Mentalist and Shameless.