Disney‘s upcoming animated feature “Hexed” has announced two exciting additions to its cast: Oscar-winner Jodie Foster and talented actor Walton Goggins. The announcement came during the Disney Entertainment Showcase presentation at the D23 fan event held in Anaheim, California.
Star-Studded Cast and Characters
In “Hexed,” Jodie Foster will take on the role of a devious witch queen, while Walton Goggins voices a quirky three-eyed cat named Beef Roger Crummchuk. This marks a return to Disney for Foster, who expressed her joy at being part of the project, stating, “It is so much fun to return to Disney because that’s where my career began,” referencing her early work in the ’70s films like “Napoleon and Samantha” and “Freaky Friday.”
Plot Overview and Creative Team
The story of “Hexed” follows a teenage oddball and her Type A mom, who discovers that her unique quirks are a form of hidden magic, leading them to a fantastical world where magic thrives. The film features Hailee Steinfeld and Rashida Jones in lead roles.
Making her directorial debut, Josie Trinidad—known for her work as head of story on “Ralph Breaks the Internet” and “Zootopia”—is co-directing the film alongside Jason Hand, who previously collaborated as the co-director and head of story on “Moana 2” and “Encanto.” The production team includes Roy Conli and Juan Pablo Reyes Lancaster-Jones as producers.
Release Date and Industry Context
“Hexed” is set to be released in theaters on November 25 this fall. However, Disney’s recent track record with original animated films has been mixed. While this spring’s “Hoppers” was a success, other original titles like “Elio” and “Luca” have not fared as well at the box office.
Disney continues to rely heavily on established franchises for box-office success, with “Toy Story 5” recently crossing the $1 billion mark worldwide since its release on June 19. Additionally, “Zootopia 2” triumphed as the highest-grossing animated film of all time, outperforming both “Inside Out 2” and even “Frozen 2,” confirming the studio’s focus on recognizable characters and stories.
