Disney announced that Hailee Steinfeld and Rashida Jones will star in its upcoming animated film 'Hexed' during its CinemaCon presentation in Las Vegas. The story follows a teenage oddball and her Type-A mom who discover the teen's weirdness is hidden magic, transporting them to a world where magic runs free. The film is slated for theatrical release on November 25.
Disney unveiled details for 'Hexed' on Thursday at CinemaCon, its annual showcase for theater owners. Directors Josie Trinidad, known for story work on 'Zootopia' and 'Ralph Breaks the Internet,' and Jason Hand, co-director of 'Moana 2' and story head on 'Encanto,' helm the project. Producers Roy Conli and Juan Pablo Reyes Lancaster-Jones are overseeing production, with Jared Bush as executive producer. Steinfeld voices the teenage lead Billie Doe, while Jones voices her mother. Footage shown featured Billie undergoing a personality test by a magical book and quill that invites her into a world of magic and wonder, complete with British accents. Hailee Steinfeld, an Oscar nominee for 'True Grit,' has credits including 'Sinners,' 'Pitch Perfect 2,' 'The Edge of Seventeen,' and 'Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse.' Rashida Jones, known from 'Parks and Recreation,' has starred in 'I Love You, Man,' 'The Muppets,' 'On the Rocks,' and 'Celeste and Jesse Forever.' The announcement comes as Disney builds on the success of 'Zootopia 2,' the highest-grossing animated film ever at $1.7 billion worldwide. Original animations like 'Hexed' follow hits such as this spring's 'Hoppers,' though others including 'Elio' and 'Luca' have had mixed results at the box office.