Disney’s New Movie Secretly Already Debuted Over 5 Years Ago

by

Disney’s latest animated movie actually began development over five years ago! Each year, Disney releases a big animated film around Thanksgiving, and this year’s original story promises to be a fantastic addition to their collection.

Disney’s upcoming movie, Hexed, is directed by Josie Trinidad and Jason Hand. Hailee Steinfeld plays Billie, a young girl raised by a strict mother (Rashida Jones). Billie’s life changes when she discovers she has magical abilities and is transported to a fantastical world where she can truly be herself.

Magic has always been a part of Disney movies. From the Blue Fairy in 1940’s Pinocchio to more recent characters, both heroes and villains have used magical powers. But it’s unusual for a Disney film to center its story around a character whose main ability is magic.

Based on what was shown at Cinemacon, Hexed looks like a lot of fun for Disney fans. The movie boasts an impressive cast of voice actors, and with Disney’s signature animation style, it’s sure to be visually stunning.

Looking closely at the story, it becomes clear that Hexed shares some unexpected parallels with a Disney animated series.

Hexed’s Story Feels Similar To Dana Terrace’s The Owl House

As a critic, I have to say The Owl House, which debuted on Disney Channel in 2020, really grabbed me. It centers around Luz, a spirited young girl who’s facing summer camp as a ‘fix’ for her energy. But things take a magical turn when she discovers the Boiling Isles, and she decides that’s where she really wants to spend her summer – learning witchcraft along the way. It’s a clever premise created by Dana Terrace, and it immediately sets up a wonderfully imaginative world.

Both The Owl House and Hexed share a strikingly similar foundation. The main characters, Luz and Billie, are both seen as outsiders who celebrate who they are, and they both have complicated relationships with their mothers. While Luz’s mother sends her away with good intentions, Billie’s mother is more strict. Both stories then place these characters in magical worlds where their creativity can flourish, and magic plays a central role.

As a big fan of the original series, I’ve seen a lot of people online pointing out how similar the new movie feels. Some even accuse Disney of basically lifting the idea! And yeah, the basic concept is pretty close, but honestly, a good premise only gets you so far. It’s all about how it’s done, you know? The execution is what really makes or breaks it.

How Billie And Luz Use Magic Is A Key Difference Between The Stories

The biggest difference between The Owl House and Hexed lies in how they portray magic. Hexed treats magic as something natural for its main character, Billie, who is born with magical abilities. Because of this, the story will likely focus more on Billie’s internal struggles and personal growth.

Unlike most characters in The Owl House, Luz isn’t born with natural magical ability. In this world, witches and wizards are born with a magical organ, but Luz doesn’t have one. Instead, she learns magic by using glyphs, which only work on the Boiling Isles. This means she has to rely on others to learn and practice, making her journey about building relationships and working with those around her.

One key difference between Hexed and The Owl House is already apparent. As the film comes out in November, it will be fascinating to see how much the story changes from the original series. While it probably won’t be a direct adaptation of Dana Terrace’s work, the connections between these two Disney shows are undeniable.

Read More

2026-04-21 21:49