Hexed World Premiere: First Reactions Are In
The purple carpet has been rolled up, the first lucky audiences have seen the film — and witches, the word on Disney's Hexed is pure magic.
Hexed held its world premiere on Thursday night, November 12, at the El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood, and the first reactions landed today. Here is everything that happened, and why the whole witch world is talking.
A Purple Carpet in Hollywood
Hailee Steinfeld (Billie Doe), Rashida Jones (Alice Doe) and Jodie Foster (Queen Celeste) joined directors Jason Hand and Fawn Veerasunthorn, co-director Josie Trinidad, producers Roy Conli and Yvett Merino, and screenwriter (and Disney Animation chief) Jared Bush on a purple carpet dressed with autumn foliage and a towering 'Disney Hexed World Premiere' display. Disney Animation closed the night with two words every witch wanted to hear: 'That's a wrap' — Hexed is officially on its way to theaters November 25.
The First Reactions Are In
Critics and premiere guests posted their first reactions today, and the consensus is spellbound: ScreenRant's roundup declares that Hexed is 'bringing back the magic,' with early viewers calling Hailee Steinfeld a joy in the lead and praising the film's mother-daughter heart and the spectacle of Hexe, the hidden witch realm. A few voices in the roundups are more mixed — no spell pleases every witch — but the overwhelming first word is glowing: emotional, funny, and visually gorgeous. For a film carrying Disney Animation's 65th feature banner, that is exactly the opening-week energy you want.
The Bombshell: Ariel Is a Villain Now
The reveal that stopped our cauldron mid-bubble: Jodi Benson — the voice of Ariel in 1989's The Little Mermaid — voices Cursula, a Little Mermaid-esque villain, in Hexed. It was revealed today, and the symbolism is delicious. The most beloved voice of Disney's princess era has crossed over to the witch side, joining Jodie Foster's Queen Celeste (the first voice role of Foster's career) in what might be Disney's most stacked villain pairing in years. Somewhere, Ursula is smiling.
Three New Clips to Watch Tonight
Disney dropped three new clips today, and each one is a little window into Hexe:
· "Stand Back" — Billie and Alice, cornered by Hexe's witches in a village lane, until a burst of green magic changes the odds.
· "Let's Ride" — inside the ramshackle trailer home of Beef Roger Crummchuk, the three-eyed magical cat, with Beef himself at the wheel.
· "Who Is She?" — the witches of Hexe gathered in a stained-glass throne hall, glowing orbs in hand, as Queen Celeste floats above her crystal throne demanding to know who this new interloper is.
A fourth taste is floating around too: a clip of Queen Celeste rising above the gathered witches aired on Jimmy Kimmel Live! — and Foster's icy delivery is already a fan favorite.
Twelve Days to Opening
Hexed opens exclusively in theaters on Wednesday, November 25 — Thanksgiving eve, witches — with Billie meeting guests at Hollywood Studios from opening day and Disneyland Park from November 20.
Want the full witch's rundown — the Bucket hunt, the D23 early screening, the soundtrack, and our own creative, A Very Hexed Witchgiving celebration?
Read our complete Witch's Guide to Hexed on the blog. The season of the witch is officially open.
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