Cameron Boyce'sDescendantsFamily Reflect on What Could've Been for His Future: 'He Would've Taken Off' (Exclusive)

Mar. 15, 2025

Kylie Cantrall as Red and Malia Baker as Chloe in “Descendants: The Rise of Red” (left); Cameron Boyce.Photo:Disney/ Kwaku Alston; Image Group LA/Disney Channel via Getty

Disney/ Kwaku Alston; Image Group LA/Disney Channel via Getty

The cast ofDescendants: The Rise of Redis keeping the lateCameron Boyce’s legacy alive.

During the conversation, they spoke to the legacy that Boyce – who starred in the original three films alongsideDove Cameron,Sofia CarsonandBooboo Stewart– left behind for the franchise.

Joshua Colley said the film is “carrying on [Boyce’s] legacy,” as the actor – who tragicallydied at the age of 20 due to complications from epilepsyin 2019 – and his beloved character Carloshave been honoredinThe Rise of RedandDescendants: The Royal Wedding.“I know he’s honored in our movie, and so we always just want to honor the work that he did and the talent that he [had].”

Colley, 22, added that Boyce set “the highest” bar for the cast. “Hopefully we honored the bar that he put up for us.”

Cameron Boyce attends LA Family Housing Annual LAFH Awards And Fundraiser Celebration at The Lot on April 25, 2019 in West Hollywood, California.Jon Kopaloff/Getty

Jon Kopaloff/Getty

Dara Reneé, who plays Uliana in the new movie, said that Boyce’s “legacy is so impactful,” as she shared, “He was a beautiful human being. I didn’t get the chance to know him, but every single person I’ve talked to has only said good things. And that’s very rare in this business. So the fact that he has that legacy and he’s continuing it and being able to grow up with someone like that was such an honor and I’m so grateful for that.”

Like Lindell, she mused that if Boyce were still here, “Whatever he would be deciding to do right now would be incredible and so appealing to him. And I wish he was here so we could all be able to see that.”

The cast of Descendants.David Bukach/Disney Channel via Getty

David Bukach/Disney Channel via Getty

Turner added that the movies “would’ve never been the same without Cameron,” whileMalia Bakershared that you “can feel” his legacy on set.

“Watching him on screen – I never got to know him in person, but I feel like I can sense his energy just off of how lively and just how special he was on screen and his essence,” Morgan Dudley added. “I don’t think that’ll ever go away. And that’s what madeDescendantsso special. So much of it was what he brought to it, just his life.”

The stars have previously spoken about Boyce’s legacy, with Reneé telling PEOPLE, “We could not have done this without him.Descendantswould not be what it is without him. You just can’t continue a story without paying tribute to the most important part ofDescendants.”

Meanwhile, McClain added that she was “apprehensive” about doing anotherDescendantsmoviefollowing Boyce’s death.

“Cam was the first heartbreak I’ve ever experienced,” she said in an exclusive statement to PEOPLE. “But once I saw how excited the new generation of kids were, it reminded me of myself when we created the original films.”

The cast of Descendants: The Rise of Red.Disney/Quantrell Colbert

Disney/Quantrell Colbert

The latest film,Descendants: The Rise of Red, appears to leave the door open for more installments down the road withits cliffhanger ending. During previous conversations with PEOPLE ahead of the premiere, Cantrall and Baker expressed their desire to return for another movie.

Meanwhile, Cantrall said she’d love to see Red’s new dynamic with her mom. “That’s drastically going to change their relationship, so I’m interested to see how that’s going to work,” she said. “Also Red and Chloe and them now being really tight, I think that that’s going to be cool to watch.”

Brandy, Malia Baker and Paolo Montalban in Descendants: The Rise of Red.Disney/Quantrell Colbert

Additionally, Brandy and Paolo Montalban, who reprise their roles asCinderellaand Prince Charming more than two decades after starring inRodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella, areeager to play the characters again.

“You know we will be open for anotherDescendants,” Brandy said. “I’m open to everything. I just want to see how far they can take the characters because the sky’s the limit.”

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Descendants: The Rise of Redis currently streaming on Disney+

source: people.com