Disney Animation just cast a spell over the internet. On the heels of massive box office success, the studio has officially announced that Hailee Steinfeld and Rashida Jones will lead the cast of their highly anticipated Thanksgiving original, Hexed.
The news has sent shockwaves through social media, with fans celebrating the pairing of the Oscar-nominated Steinfeld and the comedy icon Jones. The film, which was first teased by Disney Animation Chief Creative Officer Jared Bush back in August , is already being hailed as the next big holiday must-watch.
Meet the Newest Witch in Town
Steinfeld is set to voice the lead role of Billie, described as an “unconventional teenager” living in a boring town. Billie’s life takes a sharp turn when she discovers she is actually a witch and is suddenly whisked away to a realm of magic.
Jones joins the magical fray as Billie’s “type-A mom,” whose organized world is flipped upside down by her daughter’s new supernatural status. The dynamic between a rebellious teen witch and a high-strung mother is already drawing comparisons to classic Disney mother-daughter pairs on X and TikTok.
The Teaser That Went Viral
While the full movie is still a way off, Disney treated fans to a first-look teaser that has already sparked plenty of online conversation. In the clip, Billie meets a talking book and a very inquisitive pen.
“Have you ever been persecuted, drowned or burned at the stake?” the Pen asks the teenager. In a moment that is already being clipped for memes, Billie quips back: “I’ve burned a steak in the microwave.”
The humor and personality shown in those brief seconds have fans convinced that Steinfeld’s Billie will be an instant favorite. Once Billie signs her name to the book’s pages, she is introduced to a “world of magic and wonder” that looks to be Disney’s next visual masterpiece.
A Thanksgiving Tradition
Disney is no stranger to owning the Thanksgiving corridor. The studio is coming off a massive win with Zootopia , which became a global phenomenon last year with a staggering $. billion at the worldwide box office.
By slotting Hexed for a November , , release, the studio is clearly looking to replicate that success. With the combined star power of Steinfeld and Jones, and a creative team led by directors Josie Trinidad and Jason Hand, the expectations are sky-high.
Fan Reactions are Pouring In
The reaction on social media has been overwhelmingly positive. “Hailee Steinfeld as a Disney witch is the casting I didn’t know I needed,” one fan wrote on X. Others are praising the choice of Rashida Jones, noting that her “type-A” energy is perfect for a Disney mom trying to navigate a world of spells.
As production continues, fans are eager to see if any of Steinfeld’s musical talents will be utilized for the film. For now, the internet is simply ready to see how Billie handles her new powers—and hopefully, she stays away from the microwave.
Hexed is slated to hit theaters on November , .
