Descendants director Kenny Ortega calls late Cameron Boyce the movie's muse: 'He was everyone's f...

Boyce died in 2019 at just 20 years old from a seizure caused by epilepsy. Descendants director Kenny Ortega calls late Cameron Boyce the movie's muse: 'He was

Boyce died in 2019 at just 20 years old from a seizure caused by epilepsy.

Descendants director Kenny Ortega calls late Cameron Boyce the movie's muse: 'He was everyone's favorite'

Boyce died in 2019 at just 20 years old from a seizure caused by epilepsy.

By Mekishana Pierre

Published on July 31, 2025 02:58PM EDT

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Kenny Ortega; Cameron Boyce in 'Descendants 3'. Credit:

Kristina Bumphrey/Variety via Getty; Ed Herrera/Disney Channel via Getty

It's been 10 years since the first Disney Channel movie *Descendants* charmed danced onto TV screens and kicked off an iconic franchise, but Kenny Ortega says one thing holds true to this day: The late Cameron Boyce was "everyone's favorite."**

Ortega reflected on the late star's role in the franchise's original three films during a recent interview celebrating the film's 10th anniversary with *Entertainment Tonight*.**

The director — who helmed the films starring Boyce (Carlos), Dove Cameron (Mal), Sofia Carson (Evie), Booboo Stewart (Jay), and China Anne McClain (Uma) — recalled filming the opening scene of 2015's *Descendants*, which introduced the four main children of iconic Disney villains who live on the secluded Isle of the Lost.

"What a love affair that was, every one of those kids," Ortega said. "It was one of the first days of filming, and we had this huge dance number down the streets of the Isle of the Lost, and the sound came to the speakers, and the kids started dancing. And I looked at Cameron Boyce, who was between Sofia and Dove, and on the other side, Booboo, and I said, 'It's gonna happen again. We're gonna do it again. They won't be able to walk into a mall without being mauled.'"

Dove Cameron, Cameron Boyce, Booboo Stewart, and Sofia Carson in 'Descendants'.

Everett Collection

Ortega was referring to *High School Musical *— he directed the film trilogy — propelling its young actors to stardom. "But I saw it — the sparks, the wonder," he said of the *Descendants* cast.

"I remember this 10th anniversary with great love and affection for the forever boy, Cameron Boyce, who was our muse," Ortega added. "So, so tragic, so young."

Boyce, best known for roles in *Descendants*, *Jessie*, and *Mrs. Fletcher*, died in 2019 at age 20 in his sleep from a seizure caused by his epilepsy a family spokesperson revealed at the time. The Cameron Boyce Foundation was launched by the actor's family days after the news of his death and funds research, education, and awareness to cure epilepsy.

Ortega noted that the original cast members are all associated with the foundation. "We celebrate our 10th anniversary through our forever boy, and all that he brought to that experience. He was everyone's favorite. And it was no secret."

Cameron Boyce's mom thanks Adam Sandler for honoring her son in 'Happy Gilmore 2' tribute

Here's every original 'Descendants' star returning for 'The Rise of Red' — and who isn't

Since the conclusion of the original trilogy, the *Descendants *universe* *has kicked off the next chapter in the franchise with *Descendants: The Rise of Red*, released last year. The film introduces a whole new roster of Villain Kids and other students at Auradon Prep, like Red (Kylie Cantrall), the rebellious daughter of the ruthless Queen of Hearts (Rita Ora), and Chloe (Malia Baker), the perfectionist daughter of Cinderella and the now *King* Charming (played by Brandy and Paolo Montalban, reprising their roles from *Rodgers & Hammerstein's Cinderella*). **

"It's just beautiful, it's mind-blowing," Ortega told *Entertainment Tonight *of the universe's continuation. "I never get over the excitement of how these projects sustained and continue to find an audience. with a new generation of kids. It's beautiful."

Even as the franchise progresses, it never forgets its origins. *Rise of Red *honored Boyce in an emotional onscreen tribute. It was the first film released in the franchise since his death.

Morgan Dudley, Ruby Rose Turner, Malia Baker, and Kylie Cantrall in 'Descendants: The Rise of Red'.

Disney/Quantrell Colbert

New franchise star Cantrall recalled reading that "beautiful" scene in the script for the first time to **, sharing that she was grateful that the movie honored the late actor on screen.**

"That's the part that gets everyone every single time," she said. "I had seen so many versions of this script, and it's altered and changed through each version, but the one thing that remained the same in the script was always that tribute. It just felt so right and so needed and so purposeful. We felt his presence throughout filming — he brought so much to these films so it only felt right and natural to give him this tribute."

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Baker agreed that including a tribute to Boyce was "so incredibly needed."

"We went through so many drafts and versions of this script that you guys didn't get to see and the one thing that stayed the same in all those versions was that scene," she confirmed. "Cameron Boyce had such an impact on me growing up watching this franchise, and his impact didn't ever go missing while filming and seeing the final product of our addition; his light that we were all fortunate enough to bear witness to is strongly felt."

A sequel to *Rise of Red*, *Descendants: Wicked Wonderland*, is expected to be released in 2026.**

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Source: "AOL Movies"

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