Why Did Disney’s ‘Hexed’ Change Its Main Character to a Girl?

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Disney is going through significant changes, both internally with layoffs and new leadership, and externally with its content. One notable example is a surprising change to the central character of the show Hexed.

It’s common for movies to change during production, but Disney fans were surprised to learn at a recent CinemaCon presentation that the main character in their upcoming animated film, Hexed (releasing this Thanksgiving), has unexpectedly changed from a male to a female lead.

Disney announced its 65th animated film at the Destination D23 event in August 2025. The movie, a fantasy about growing up, will center around a teenage boy.

The original idea for the movie Hexed centered around a clumsy teen and his overachieving mother who unexpectedly find out his quirks might actually be magical abilities, completely changing their lives and revealing a hidden world of magic.

Just a few months after the initial announcement, a recent plot summary indicates the movie’s main character is now a teenage girl.

As reported by Variety, the film centers around a quirky teenager and her overachieving mother. The teen discovers she has magical powers, which open a portal to a world where magic is commonplace.

Hailee Steinfeld, known for voicing Gwen Stacy in the Spider-Verse films, will voice the teenage character Billie. Rashida Jones will play Billie’s mother, Alice.

The reason for changing the main character’s gender isn’t clear, but the shift occurred within the last eight months. This change is now being compared to Disney’s Halloweentown and The Owl House, both of which feature teenage girls discovering magical powers and strengthening family relationships, especially with their mothers, in fantastical settings.

Many Disney fans online expressed enthusiasm for a magical story starring a male lead and highlighting a mother-son bond. However, the disappointing box office performance of Disney-Pixar’s 2025 film Elio may have made studio executives hesitant to greenlight another story about a unique boy on a personal journey, even though the two stories are quite different.

Hexed releases in theaters on November 25, 2026.

Forgotten Animated Disney Movies That Deserve Another Look

1. The Rescuers Down Under (1990)

While many didn’t clamor for a sequel to the 1977 Disney film The Rescuers, The Rescuers Down Under (1990) surprisingly surpasses the original. This adventure follows two mouse rescue agents on a mission to save a boy kidnapped by a poacher in the Australian Outback. The film boasts impressive flight sequences, a beautifully realized Australian wilderness, and vibrant animation. Though overshadowed by the massive success of The Little Mermaid and Beauty and the Beast, it remains a fondly remembered favorite for those who grew up watching VHS tapes in the 90s.

2. Onward (2020)

Pixar’s 2020 film, Onward, unfortunately suffered because of its release timing. It came out just as movie theaters were closing nationwide due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which significantly hurt its chances of success in theaters. Many people were understandably focused on current events at the time and didn’t notice it, though it did find an audience through streaming.

It’s a shame that even now, five years later, Onward is often left out of discussions about the best recent Pixar films. It’s a truly touching and magical adventure with beautiful animation, charming characters, and a moving story about loss and continuing to move forward.

3. Treasure Planet (2002)

Released in 2002, Treasure Planet is a unique animated film that reimagines Robert Louis Stevenson’s Treasure Island in a futuristic, intergalactic setting. It came out during a time when CGI animation was becoming more common, following the success of movies like Toy Story and Shrek, but it didn’t do well in theaters initially. However, over time, Treasure Planet has gained a dedicated fanbase who appreciate its compelling characters, stunning blend of storybook visuals and science fiction, and heartfelt story about finding your purpose. As one character says, it truly has the potential to be a classic.

4. Dinosaur (2000)

I still remember when Dinosaur came out around the year 2000 – it felt like Disney was really pushing boundaries! It was amazing seeing real footage mixed with those incredible CGI dinosaurs, and the story of Aladar and his family searching for a safe haven after the meteor strike really pulled at your heartstrings. It was actually the biggest animated hit of that year and people loved it – it even got its own ride at Disney World! It’s a shame, though, that it seems to have faded from memory over time. It got lost in the transition period when Disney was moving away from the style of films like The Lion King and Beauty and the Beast. I wish more people remembered how groundbreaking it was!

5. The Black Cauldron (1985)

1985’s The Black Cauldron is a somewhat divisive film among Disney fans. It was a significant box office failure when it came out and was criticized for being too different from the original books, as well as for its dark themes and underdeveloped characters. However, over the past 40 years, the movie has gained a dedicated cult following. People appreciate its distinctive dark fantasy style, beautiful animation, and truly frightening villain.

6. Atlantis: The Lost Empire (2001)

Among Disney fans, Atlantis: The Lost Empire is likely the least forgotten film, with many passionately hoping for a live-action remake. However, it’s not well-known to the general public and Disney rarely mentions it. This is probably because it came out right after Disney’s hugely successful Renaissance period and was very different from the popular Disney films of that time.

The movie is a fun, action-packed adventure about a diverse group of explorers searching for the lost city of Atlantis and a powerful, ancient energy source. While not flawless, it’s visually stunning, inspired by the style of Jules Verne, and features memorable characters.

7. Meet the Robinsons (2007)

Released in 2007, Meet the Robinsons came out during a challenging time for Disney, after the studio’s golden age. It struggled to compete with Pixar and didn’t do well in theaters, which led to plans for a sequel being dropped. However, over time, the film—about a young orphan inventor who journeys to the future to alter his destiny—has gained a dedicated fanbase. People now appreciate its surprisingly touching story, quirky characters, and unique, optimistic vision of the future.

8. Brother Bear (2003)

Disney’s Brother Bear, released in 2003, is a beautifully animated film that often gets overlooked. It came out around the same time as hugely popular movies like Lilo & Stitch, Monsters, Inc., Finding Nemo, and The Incredibles, which meant it didn’t get as much attention. However, Brother Bear tells a touching story about family and forgiveness that everyone can relate to. It also boasts stunning animation of the North American landscape, a memorable soundtrack by Phil Collins, and excellent performances from Joaquin Phoenix and Jeremy Suarez.

9. A Bug’s Life (1998)

Despite being a Pixar film, 1998’s A Bug’s Life often gets overlooked when people discuss the studio’s most important works. While some consider it a classic – and rightfully so – it’s largely seen as less memorable than other big Pixar hits. The creative story centers around a well-intentioned but awkward ant who sets out to find help for his colony, only to stumble upon a quirky group of circus fleas. It’s a charming and visually appealing movie filled with funny, unforgettable characters, and it surprisingly tackles important themes like capitalism and the strength of working together.

10. Bolt (2008)

Released in 2008, Bolt was generally well-received and did reasonably well in theaters, but today it’s mostly remembered as a minor film from a changing time for Disney animation. The movie tells the story of a dog actor who thinks he has real superpowers and must learn what’s real after escaping the film set and trying to find his way home. Coming out during Pixar’s peak and between two major periods of Disney success—the Disney Renaissance and the later Revival era that started with Tangled—Bolt didn’t achieve the same level of critical acclaim or cultural impact. However, it remains a sweet and enjoyable adventure with a talented voice cast and lively animation.

11. Frankenweenie (2012)

Despite being released in 2012, Tim Burton’s quirky horror-comedy Frankenweenie has largely been overlooked, even when people discuss Halloween movies for families. This is unfortunate, given the amount of creativity and skill that went into making this fun parody of classic science fiction horror films. The movie, which started as a short film Burton made for Disney in 1984, tells the story of a boy who brings his dog back to life, leading to amusing trouble when his friends try to replicate his experiment. With beautiful black-and-white stop-motion animation and lovable characters, this Burton film is a heartwarming classic, even with its reanimated theme.

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2026-04-20 21:57