Here's How Disney's New "Descendants" Movie Honored Cameron Boyce

This post contains spoilers.

Descendants: The Rise of Red — a spinoff of the popular Disney Channel Descendants franchise — recently dropped on Disney+. It features all-new characters with only a few actors reprising their roles from the original films — most notably China Anne McClain as Uma.

Uma in regal attire with long, braided colorful hair, in an elaborate courtyard setting
Disney+

The original trilogy starred Dove Cameron as Mal, Sofia Carson as Evie, Booboo Stewart as Jay, and Cameron Boyce as Carlos.

Sofia Carson, Booboo Stewart, Dove Cameron, and Cameron Boyce dressed in medieval-inspired outfits, standing on a castle balcony in a scene from "Descendants"
Jack Rowand/?Disney Channel / courtesy Everett Collection

Sadly, a month before Descendants 3 premiered in 2019, Cameron died at age 20.

Cameron Boyce wearing a hoodie, posing in front of a backdrop with palm trees and a sign that reads "Young Hollywood"
Young Hollywood / Getty Images

Disney shared a sweet tribute to the late actor and dedicated Descendants 3 to him.

Disney Channel / Via Twitter: @descendants

Dove, Sofia, and Booboo continue to honor Cameron's memory in many ways, including reuniting at The Cameron Boyce Foundation's Cam for a Cause Annual Gala every year.

Dove Cameron, Booboo Stewart, and Sofia Carson pose together at The Cameron Boyce Foundation event. Dove wears a strapless gown, Booboo wears a suit, Sofia wears a feathered dress
Gilbert Flores / Variety via Getty Images

Initially, Disney's plans for a fourth live-action Descendants movie were met with criticism.

Dove Cameron, Cameron Boyce, Booboo Stewart, and Sofia Carson are dressed in stylish, colorful outfits from the movie 'Descendants 3' in a vibrant, decorated setting

However, in 2021, Dove, Sofia, and Booboo reprised their roles in the animated special Descendants: The Royal Wedding. Then, rather than make Descendants 4, Disney made a spin-off. Descendants: The Rise of Red honors Cameron's memory with a sweet, poignant moment between two returning characters.

Uma and Fairy Godmother in conversation
Disney+

As she's setting up her new office, movers hang a portrait of Carlos, Cameron's character.

Framed photo of Cameron Boyce in a display with other pictures on a patterned wall. Cameron Boyce is smiling and wearing a stylish jacket
Disney+

Uma tells Fairy Godmother, the previous principal, about how she became friends with Queen Mal and King Ben, who later took down the barrier that prevented all of the villains from leaving the Isle of the Lost.

Top: Uma wearing a pirate hat and jacket. Middle: Room with framed portraits. Bottom: Uma speaking to Fiary Godmother off-screen. Subtitles: "I used to hate Mal. I'm sure you've heard. But you know what happened? We reconciled."
Disney+
Uma tells Fairy Godmother that Ben and Mal opened the Isle to give all villains a second chance, so it's time Wonderland got one too
Disney+

Since opening the Isle of the Lost began with inviting four Villain Kids to Auradon Prep, Uma gives Fairy Godmother an invitation for Princess Red, the daughter of the Queen of Hearts, to attend.

Uma hands Fairy Godmother an invitation for Princess Red, and Fairy Godmother questions it
Disney+

Uma stands firm in her decision to invite Red in honor of Carlos.

Portrait of Cameron Boyce as Carlos. Uma says, "It's what Carlos woulda wanted. So don't do it for me. Do it in honor of him."
Disney+

Fairy Godmother — whose daughter, Jane, was Carlos's love interest — silently agrees.

Fairy Godmother looks at Carlos's portrait then takes the invitation away
DIsney+

Many viewers found the scene touching.

Tweet by Sav (@cherrydiem0n): "It's what Carlos would've wanted" oh the new Descendants movie BROKE ME Cameron Boyce you are deeply missed
The tweet reads, "the carlos (cameron boyce) mention in the rise of red... i'm not crying, you are"

Disney+ / Via x.com

China told People, "I was apprehensive to revisit the Descendants world at first, because losing Cam was the first heartbreak I've ever experienced. But once I saw how excited the new generation of kids were, it reminded me of myself when we created the original films."

Cameron and China together on the red carpet

"Everything came together beautifully. There's one scene that is very special to me, I'm sure the audience will be able to guess which one it is once they see the movie. Stepping back into Uma was very fulfilling and healing for me," she said.

Monica Schipper / Getty Images

Previously, Descendants: The Royal Wedding also honored Cameron in a touching scene.

Evie asks Mal if she's okay. Mal wishes Carlos was there. Jay suggests it's a good time to give Mal a bracelet. Mal says it's beautiful
Disney Channel / Via Disney+
Evie says the bracelet is their crests, all four Vks, they hug
Disney Channel / Via Disney+