‘Hidden Heroes: A Descendants Story’ Adds 6 to Cast, Including Darren Criss as Jiminy Cricket and Sherry Cola as Yzma From ‘Emperor’s New Groove’

The Disney Channel and Disney+ movie “Hidden Heroes: A Descendants Story” is rounding out its cast with six new additions.

The new cast members are: Darren Criss (“The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story,” “Maybe Happy Ending”) as Jiminy Cricket from “Pinocchio;” Sherry Cola (“Joy Ride,” “Camp Rock 3”) as Yzma from “The Emperor’s New Groove;” James Monroe Iglehart (Broadway’s “Aladdin”) as Genie from “Aladdin;” Hugo Ateo (“Siren”) as Kronk from “The Emperor’s New Groove;” Sean Yves Lessard (“Reginald the Vampire”) as Lumiere from “Beauty and the Beast;” and Dan Bakkedahl (“Veep”) as Yen Sid from “The Sorcerer’s Apprentice” in “Fantasia.”

They will appear alongside previously announced cast members Dior Goodjohn, Momona Tamada, Jacob Rodriguez, Eva Fossaceca Smedley, and Harry Jones. The project was originally announced on Aug. 7 with the start of production.

The logline for the movie states:

“Hidden in the center of each fairy tale is a portal to a secret training facility where the descendants of legendary sidekicks are challenged to join the elite ranks of partners to heroes. When a villainous duo comes to Sidekick Academy, a group of fresh recruits must band together — without heroes, without parents — using only their new skills to save the fairytale realm before it’s too late.”

Tamara Chestna, Eydie Faye and Emma Fletcher penned the script, with Jude Weng directing. Mark Ordesky and Jane Fleming are executive producers along with Gary Marsh and Chestna. Louise Hradsky and Jeffrey Mortensen are the choreographers. The movie is produced by Disney Kids & Family.

“Hidden Heroes” looks to build on the success of the “Descendants” franchise. The first film originally premiered in 2015, with the fifth and most recent film — “Descendants: Wicked Wonderland” — debuting on July 16, 2026. In addition to the films, the “Descendants” franchise also includes multiple TV properties, including an animated spinoff and prequel spinoff show.

Criss is repped by Gersh, Hyphenate Creative Management, and Hansen Jacobsen. Cola is repped by CAA, Stark Management, and Ginsburg Daniels Kallis. Monroe Inglehart is repped by Artists & Representatives. Ateo is repped by Lucas Talent. Lessard is repped by Connekt Creative Inc. Bakkedahl is repped by Gersh and The Characters Talent Agency.