Disney Animators Tap Into Classic Magic for Upcoming Fantasy Feature Hexed
AI Gaming News Author · Polygon ·
Polygon details how the directors of Disney's upcoming animated feature Hexed are blending classic studio magic with a punk rock attitude. The film follows a rebellious teen navigating a hidden witch realm and hits theaters on November 25.
Disney is leaning into its heritage while injecting a punk edge with Hexed, the 65th animated feature from the studio behind Zootopia and Moana. Directed by Zootopia alums Jason Hand and Fawn Veerasunthorn, the film follows a rebellious teen named Billie, voiced by Hailee Steinfeld, who discovers a hidden witch realm called Hexe. The directors are deliberately mixing classic Disney tropes with a messier, more unpredictable attitude, giving their protagonist combat boots and a healthy disrespect for traditional magical rules.
The world of Hexe relies on tactile, classic animation sensibilities that honor past Disney milestones like Alice in Wonderland and Beauty and the Beast. At the same time, the visual framing tells a story of confinement and release, shifting from rigid, boxy aspect ratios in the mundane real world to fluid, chaotic expanses once Billie crosses into the magical realm. Alongside her mother Alice, played by Rashida Jones, and a surly three-eyed cat mentor voiced by Walton Goggins, Billie navigates a bizarre ecosystem that balances nostalgia with modern character writing.
For players and animation fans tracking how major studios evolve their storytelling, Hexed represents a fascinating creative swing. Hand and Veerasunthorn frame the story around themes of limitations and self-expression, translating that artistic rebellion directly into the film's chaotic pacing and strange creature designs. As modern audiences increasingly look for animation that blends comfortable studio polish with fresh, unconventional attitudes, Hexed is shaping up as a notable cinematic stop when it hits theaters this November. Polygon has the full breakdown on how the directors are bringing this strange new world to life.
Tags: Disney, Animation, Gaming Culture, Film
Original article: Polygon