‘Descendants: Wicked Wonderland’ Stars Malia Baker, Kylie Cantrall Talk Heroes vs. Villains, Favorite Songs and Hopes for a Sixth Film

Descendants: Wicked Wonderland takes viewers back to the world of Lewis Carroll’s Wonderland, continuing the story of Red and Chloe while also introducing new characters.

The new movie, which is now streaming on Disney Channel and Disney+, picks up where the fourth film, Rise of Red, left off: The Queen of Hearts (Rita Ora) is nice, Cinderella (Brandy) is safe, and things seem perfect for their respective daughters, Red (Kylie Cantrall) and Chloe (Malia Baker). However, they soon learn that changing the past created a new villain: Maddox Hatter (Leonardo Nam, son of the Mad Hatter). 

Cantrall says stepping back into her role as Red, the Queen of Hearts’ daughter, was like putting on a comfy pair of shoes that fit just right.

“It was so special; it felt like I never left,” says the actress. “At the same time, I feel like I’ve lived so much life in between both of these movies, and getting to bring my own personal evolution into the character’s evolution was really fun and also what makes this film so different. She evolved in so many ways.”

For Baker, the shoot was a literal homecoming for her: The movie filmed scenes in Vancouver (including at the castle featured in the original Descendants), her hometown.

“I’ve grown up going to the parks that we actually shot at,” says the actress, who plays Chloe, daughter of Cinderella. “To see those turned into Wonderland is absolutely insane. It’s a beautiful city in general, but seeing Tyler [Bishop Harron], our set designer, bring it to life — in terms of giant teacups or the huge chess set — was really special.”

Baker marvels at the fact that most of the sets were practical, which, as she notes, is “so rare and so unexpected with such a fantastical set. It was a big blessing to be able to see the world that was envisioned for us and physically being able to step into it. It was unlike anything I’ve ever done. I’ll never get goosebumps like that again.”

Cantrall also points to the costumes (designed by Caroline Cranstoun and Bramli Knauf), noting the details in all the designs. “The closer you look at Red’s wardrobe, you’ll always find the heart details somewhere in there,” she says. “I think I counted 14 heart logos on my outfit, so that’ll be fun for the fans to look for those Easter eggs in her costume.” In addition, her wig also features a heart braid, and the style reflects her character’s evolution: “It introduces more of a regal-ness because in this new timeline, she’s seen as more of a princess than a rebel,” Cantrall adds.

The actress says that getting to portray that transition from rebel to princess was one of the really enjoyable parts of returning to the Descendants franchise. “I got to kind of explore a different side of Red that I didn’t get to in the [fourth movie],” she says. “She was much more hard-edged and snarky and had that rebellious energy, versus now, she really has to step up and be this role model and leader. She’s kind of the bridge between the HKs [Hero Kids] and the VKs [Villain Kids]. She’s the one that brings them together to fight this fight in Wonderland.”

In a bit of a role reversal, Baker gets to explore the “villain” side of Chloe in this movie as her friendship with Red is tested. While she prefers the good Chloe, the actress says she liked playing the character’s complete opposite. “Goody Two-Shoes Chloe Charming will always be my girl, but it was really fun to see what heartbreak looks like on somebody,” she says. 

Baker hopes that young viewers take away a valuable lesson as Chloe deals with her friendship struggles. “We all have our own coping mechanisms and our own defenses,” she says. “It’s like if somebody’s rude to you or they say a snippy thing at you, and you just have no idea what’s going on in their head or in their life, and no idea what’s going on in your life. Chloe is the exact embodiment of that when she goes through her whole turmoil.”

Another new element in this movie is that due to Red and Chloe changing the past, Red now has a sister (played by Liamani Segura). “This brings a whole added layer,” Cantrall says. “She has a sister who looks up to her and thinks she can’t do any wrong, basically. So Red is kind of grappling with this new identity because in her heart she’s a rebel, but she’s trying to redefine what being a princess looks like on her terms. And I think that’s really inspiring for, hopefully for young girls, that you can create your own identity and reimagine it however you want.”

Cantrall, whose credits also include Disney’s High School Musical: The Musical: The Series, says she frequently gets recognized by fans for her role, despite the fact that she’s in elaborate costumes and wigs in Descendants. “There’s nothing cooler than someone coming up and being like, I have a doll of you, and my birthday was Red-themed,” she says. “That’s something that never gets old, that I actually get to play a part in these monumental memories for kids and getting to inspire the next generation of performers. It feels really special.”

Asked who their favorite new characters are, Cantrall says she was drawn to Hazel (Kiara Romero), daughter of Captain Hook, after reading the script. “She’s such a badass, and Kiara brings so much life to the role,” Cantrall says. When asked for her pick, Baker jokes, “You’re trying to get me beaten up in that group chat. Holy cow, those are rough waters.” She likens the cast to The Goonies, saying both films are ensemble adventure movies that draw the viewer in: “It makes you feel like you want to become a part of an adventure and gather up all your friends and just go, like, treasure hunting for no reason.” 

As you might expect, the movie is also driven by songs and dance numbers. Cantrall says her favorite tune is “For Once in My Life,” which she and Alexandro Byrd, who plays Luis, son of Luisa Madrigal from Encanto, perform. Spoiler alert: Sparks fly between their two characters. “I loved Mal and Ben’s moments in the first Descendants,” she says. “That was something that I always secretly hoped would be involved in the plot for this film. I wanted Red to have a love interest, because that’s when a character gets the most vulnerable. Red being such a guarded person, you know, having this HK come into her life and tear her walls down and seeing the soft kind of lover girl version of her. That duet between her and Luis is a really sweet moment; that’ll be the one that makes everyone blush.”

Baker has a harder time choosing her favorite tune. She mentions “Dancing With the Enemy” (“This is Gaga”), “Who I Am” (“Full weeping every single time I watch it”), “The Girl I Used to Be” (“Same”) and “Heartless” (“It’s a punk ballad! Blink-182, hit me up”).

As viewers see at the end of the film, Chessy the Cat (voiced by Awkwafina) teases that there’s more to the story, something that’s become a signature of all of the films. Both Cantrall and Baker say they are open to reprising their roles if asked, which they haven’t been — yet. “Of course I’ve talked to Disney,” Baker says. “I’m begging the mouse himself to let me in on whatever they’re planning. The Blue’s been such a special part of my life and I wouldn’t trade it for anything.”