Descendants: The Rise of Red: Everything you need to know

Prepare to return to Auradon with Descendants: The Rise of Red.

The fourth film in the Descendants trilogy, the spinoff movie follows a new collection of fairytale characters, including a few familiar names.

China Anne McClain reprises her role as Uma, now Principal of Auradon Prep, in PEOPLE's exclusive first look at the next film.

She promises to change things up in her new job, revealing that Auradon Prep would be available to "all the kingdoms," including Wonderland.

The future film was first teased in 2021, following the premiere of the animated special Descendants: The Royal Wedding, and was formally greenlit the next year.

Since then, we have learned a few fascinating tidbits regarding the characters and plot. Here's all you need to know about the film before its debut later this year.

McClain is set to reprise her role as Uma, Ursula's lively daughter. Melanie Paxson, who previously played Fairy Godmother, will join her.

Though Mal (played by Dove Cameron) is referenced in the new teaser trailer, she, along with original actresses Booboo Stewart and Sofia Carson, is not expected to feature in the new film.

In a statement to PEOPLE, McClain revealed that she was worried about returning for the film following Cameron Boyce's death in 2019, but that repeating her role turned out to be a "healing" experience.

"I was apprehensive to revisit the Descendants world at first, because losing Cam was the first heartbreak I've ever experienced," she said in an interview with PEOPLE. "But once I saw how excited the new generation of kids were, it reminded me of myself when we created the original films."

"Everything came together beautifully," she explained. "There's one moment that is really special to me, and I'm sure the audience will be able to determine which one it is after seeing the film. Stepping back into Uma was both fulfilling and healing for me.



Several original cast members will not return for the film, but there will be plenty of new faces to fill their roles. Kylie Cantrall will portray the titular Red, the Queen of Hearts' daughter, while Malia Baker will play Chloe Charming, Cinderella and Prince Charming's daughter.

Dara Reneé from High School Musical will play Ulyana (Ursula's sister and Uma's aunt), while Joshua Colley will play Hook, the father of Thomas Doherty's character Harry from the original franchise.

In addition, some well-known actors will play renowned fairytale characters. Rita Ora will play the Queen of Hearts, while Brandy and Paolo Montalban will reprise their roles as Cinderella and Prince Charming from Rodgers and Hammerstein's Cinderella musical, which debuted in 1997.

Ruby Rose Turner as Young Queen of Hearts, Morgan Dudley as Young Cinderella, Tristan Padil as Young Prince Charming, and Grace Narducci as Young Fairy Godmother complete the cast of younger versions of the characters.

According to the film's official summary, it "finds polar opposites Red and Chloe crossing paths at a momentous celebration in Auradon when unexpected chaos breaks out." In an effort to "prevent an impending coup, they must join forces to travel back in time, via a magical pocket watch created by the Mad Hatter's son, to stop an event that would lead to grave consequences."

An official release date has not yet been confirmed, but the film is set to be released this summer.