Descendants: The Rise of Red executive producer Suzanne Todd explained the movie’s tribute to Cameron Boyce. The Descendants franchise introduced many notable villainous kids, including Mal (Dove Cameron) and Evie (Sofia Carson), who sought independence and redemption through Auradon. Disney’s latest entry focuses on the relationship between Red (Kylie Cantrall) and Chloe (Malia Baker), and their mothers, the Queen of Hearts and Cinderella. The Rise of Red also features returning characters, primarily Uma (China Anne McClain), along with a heartwarming moment that honors the late Boyce, who portrayed Carlos in the previous films.

During a recent interview with TVLine, Todd discussed the tribute to Boyce and explained that when trying to incorporate him, “We just wanted to make sure that we did the most respectful thing we could.” She also revealed that McClain was involved in the process and, considering the message behind that particular scene, it made sense to bring up Carlos. Read more of Todd’s comments below:

“We always knew that we wanted to pay some kind of tribute. We actually went through a number of different incarnations of what we thought was the best way to do it, because it’s very delicate and very important.

We, the filmmakers, had some ideas about what we wanted to do, but we also had a lot of conversations with China Anne and her family about it. She landed that moment so beautifully. And I have to say that the story point we ended up going with, about inclusion and ending this segregation in Carlos’ name, is so on point for our universe and what we’re trying to promote. The idea that we were attributing that to Carlos’ character felt 100% real and authentic.

When we finished the scene that day, China Anne called me to her trailer and asked if she could take the photos of Cameron home with her. And I, of course, burst into tears. It makes me want to cry even thinking about that moment. And she and I went together to the set and took the photos off the wall, and she got in her car and drove home with them.

He’s such an important part of the franchise that there was never a question that we were going to do something. We just wanted to make sure that we did the most respectful thing we could, and I’m pretty happy with the way it turned out.”

Descendants & Its Cast Continue To Honor Cameron Boyce’s Legacy

Boyce Passed Away In 2019.

Boyce passed away in 2019 but continues to be honored by Disney and the Descendants franchise. Mal confronted the absence of Carlos in 2021’s Descendants: The Royal Wedding and was later given a charm bracelet commemorating the original villain kids. In The Rise of Red, Uma discusses the importance of updating Auradon Prep’s acceptance policies, having learned to recognize the good in others, and extends an offer to Wonderland. Despite hesitation from the Fairy Godmother, she emotionally states that it will be in memory of Carlos.

That tribute from Descendants: The Rise of Red likely stirred emotions among viewers and McClain, who gave a very sentimental performance and, as Todd mentioned, left with set photos. The two actors had worked together before on Adam Sandler’s Grown Ups and its sequel and eventually wound up on Disney Channel, starring in concurrent shows A.N.T. Farm and Jessie. In the years following Boyce’s death, McClain and other Descendants cast members have reunited to raise money for The Cameron Boyce Foundation and awareness for epilepsy.

Carson, Cameron, and director Kenny Ortega have continued talking about Boyce and the bond they created while making the Descendants movies. It seems that Boyce, even beyond Disney, impacted those who knew him or were fans of his work, and it is touching to see his legacy honored in Descendants: The Rise of Red.

Descendants: The Rise of Red is available to stream on Disney+.

Source: TVLine