Disney World Casting Actors for New Hollywood Studios Villains Show Debuting in Summer 2025

Nov 01, 2024 in "Disney Villains Unfairly Ever After"

Gallery / 6 Photos
Villains Show concept art

Posted: Friday November 1, 2024 10:46am ET by WDWMAGIC Staff

Disney Live Entertainment is now accepting online submissions for actors to bring some of Disney's most iconic villains to life in a new live production set to open in summer 2025 at Walt Disney World Resort.

This new show, which will take over the Sunset Showcase at Disney's Hollywood Studios, is designed to immerse audiences in the dark, reflective world of the Magic Mirror, featuring appearances from legendary villains such as Cruella de Vil, Captain Hook, and Maleficent.

Villains Show concept art

According to the casting call, Disney Live Entertainment is searching for performers with strong vocal and musicality skills to portray these infamous characters. Here's a look at the roles available:

Cruella de Vil: Seeking a female-identifying performer, 5'7" to 5'9", to embody the iconic and dramatic character known for her flair and obsession with fashion. As portrayed in the animated classic, Cruella is an eccentric socialite with an unyielding drive to get what she wants, no matter the cost.

Captain Hook: Disney is looking for a male-identifying performer, 5'11" to 6'3", with vocal and musical theater movement skills. Captain Hook, the infamous pirate of Never Land, is both dignified and vengeful, with a determined desire for revenge against Peter Pan.

Maleficent: For this role, they seek a female-identifying performer, 5'10" to 6'1", to bring the powerful mistress of evil to life. Known for her vengeful spirit and mastery of magic, Maleficent is a formidable villain who will do anything to achieve her goals.

Villains Show concept art

This new production, opening in summer 2025, will feature live numbers that bring these and other villains to the forefront, allowing fans to experience their favorite evildoers in a whole new way. With a setting inspired by the Magic Mirror's mysterious realm, audiences can expect dramatic entrances and vivid performances with Disney's most notorious villains.

This new and currently unnamed show will replace Lightning McQueen's Racing Academy, which recently closed to make way for this offering.

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brb10061 day ago

Actually "Stitch! the Movie" (which Dr Hämsterviel debuted in) came out in 2003, a year after the original Lilo & Stitch movie hit theaters. Which launched an animated series and a direct-to-video movie serving as the franchise's Grand Finale. The original DVD release for "Stitch! the Movie" even contained a booklet detailing The Experiments set to appear in the series. Notably a first look at Angel, Stitch's girlfriend.

Agent H1 day ago

I also said they don’t necessarily fit the vibe of the show so the only way they appear is in the mirrors on the side. Can you imagine Hans getting up on stage and singing?

DisneyHead1231 day ago

I don’t have musical training (other than long forgotten piano lessons as a child) so am not sure what the technical terms are here, but I think the clear “marching” element to the clip they released is part of what people are responding to with uncertainty. The spooky vibe is contrasted with the “this is a parade!” vibe which is a little dissonant. Thinking it’s probably just for that one song as all the characters march out though. To me the best vibe, musically, for Villains in the park would be Poor Unfortunate Souls. It’s unmistakably dark but not too dark, and has that campy fun element. Friends On The Other Side is a little darker but another good one. I think songs in those styles would be great for a show like this.

plutofan151 day ago

Looking forward to hearing your version.

LindseyDisney1 day ago

I'm actually excited for this, and for a new show at Hollywood Studios. Though it can't beat the Drew Carey Show; that was the top tier level of entertainment.

WondersOfLife1 day ago

What part of Cruella and Captain Hook scream dark magic? lol I don't know what you're referring to here. They obviously are trying to put every single villain they've ever had as a cameo in there... Even the ones that are hardly "villains." They're just merely small antagonists.

Agent H2 days ago

And that’s amazing as a lilo and stitch fan but the poster in question was talking about villains post 2009 and dr. Hämsterviel was introduced in the 2003 film stitch! The movie. Again I will note most of the villains post 2009 are in the additional mirrors around the room which helps dispel the claim that they’re not in it because “we haven’t had any decent Disney villains since dr. Faciler”

Comped2 days ago

They have the bloody hamster from Lilo & Stitch in it!

Agent H2 days ago

Thanks for reminding me. I will edit my post to include him.

James Alucobond2 days ago

Magnifico technically works, but … Wish.

Agent H2 days ago

No. Because most of the villains they’ve created since then haven’t been associated with dark magic or don’t fit the vibe of the show. Besides aren’t a good amount of those villains in the mirrors all over the room in the concept art ?

WondersOfLife2 days ago

My favorite thing about modern day Disney is trying to capitalize on the popularity of the obviously huge market for villains and "dark Disney" IPs and they're still having to revert back to basically as latest as the 90s and earliest as the 60s for most of that content... ....Because we haven't had any decent Disney villains since Dr. Facilier. lol

IMDREW2 days ago

I dont think the misunderstood angle theyre taking with this show is why we like the villains so much. Im afraid that if thats the angle theyre taking for the land as well they just dont seem to get it. Why cant villains be evil for the sake of evil anymore nowadays?

Jedi142 days ago

I think it’s more that we know what to expect with Little Mermaid, it’s the show that was there, but plussed up. It’s also an established IP at the parks being at two of the four parks. Villains has there land coming and they probably need to “sell” people on Villains stuff that isn’t just for Halloween.