Disney's Descendants franchise has always thrived on the "nature vs. nurture" debate, but The Rise of Red took things back to the beginning. We aren't talking about Mal or Evie anymore. We're talking about the parents—specifically the teenage versions of the villains we love to hate. Among the sea of neon hair and pop-rock anthems, one character caught everyone's eye: James Hook in Descendants 4.
If you grew up watching the original trilogy, you probably remember Harry Hook, played by Thomas Doherty, with his thick Scottish accent and eccentric eyeliner. He was the son of the legendary Captain Hook. But in this time-traveling installment, we get to see the Captain himself before he lost the hand, before the Jolly Roger, and long before he became the bumbling, obsessed pirate from the 1953 animated classic.
Joshua Colley stepped into the role of young James, and honestly, he nailed it. He didn’t just play a pirate; he played a high schooler who thinks he’s a pirate. There’s a difference. It’s that theater-kid energy mixed with a chip on his shoulder that makes this version of James Hook in Descendants 4 so fun to watch.
The Villain Kid Origin Story We Didn’t Know We Needed
Why does this version of Hook even matter?
The plot of The Rise of Red centers on Red (the daughter of the Queen of Hearts) and Chloe (the daughter of Cinderella) traveling back in time to Merlin Academy. They’re trying to stop a specific prank that supposedly turned Bridget—the sweet, cupcake-baking future Queen of Hearts—into a tyrant. James Hook is a key member of the "V.K." clique at Merlin Academy, alongside a young Uliana (Ursula's sister), Hades, and Maleficent.
Seeing James Hook in Descendants 4 as a teenager changes how we look at the Peter Pan lore. Usually, we think of Hook as this ancient, bitter man. Here, he’s just a guy trying to fit in with the "cool" villains. He’s a follower. He takes orders from Uliana. It’s a fascinating look at the hierarchy of Disney villains. Even the guy who eventually commands a crew of pirates started out as the lackey who had to fetch "shrimp" for Ursula’s sister.
He’s flashy. He’s wearing velvet. He’s got the ruffles. But he’s also vulnerable in a way that Disney villains rarely are. He’s desperate to be seen as dangerous, even though he’s still got both hands and a relatively clean record.
Joshua Colley’s Performance as James Hook
It’s hard to follow up on a fan-favorite like Harry Hook. Thomas Doherty left big shoes (and hooks) to fill. But Joshua Colley brought a different flavor to the role.
Colley has a massive background in musical theater—think Les Misérables and Newsies. You can see that training in his movement. Every gesture is big. Every line is delivered with a bit of a wink to the camera. When he’s performing "Perfect Revenge," he’s not just singing; he’s performing a character piece.
The chemistry between the young villain cast is what carries the Merlin Academy scenes. While the movie focuses heavily on Red and Chloe, the "Uliana Gang" provides the tension. James Hook acts as the theatrical muscle. He’s not the mastermind, but he’s the one who adds the flair. Fans have been quick to point out that Colley’s Hook feels like a bridge between the classic animated character and the edgy, modern aesthetic of the Descendants world.
Wait, Is This the Same Hook From Peter Pan?
This is where things get a little "wibbly-wobbly, timey-wimey," as a different franchise might say.
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The Descendants universe has its own internal logic. In the original films, Captain Hook is already on the Isle of the Lost. He has three kids: Harriet, Harry, and CJ. But The Rise of Red introduces James at Merlin Academy.
Some fans were confused. "If James is a teenager at the same time as Cinderella and Prince Charming, how old is he supposed to be in the present day?"
Disney doesn't really care about your spreadsheets.
Basically, the timeline suggests that the "Golden Age" of heroes and villains all happened simultaneously at this magical school. James Hook was a peer of King Beast and Queen Belle. It’s a retcon, sure, but it allows for the "Bad Apple" dynamic that makes the movie work. The James Hook in Descendants 4 we see is the blueprint. He’s the raw material that eventually becomes the Captain.
The "Perfect Revenge" and the Power of the V.K.s
The musical numbers in Descendants are arguably more important than the dialogue. "Perfect Revenge" is the standout track for the villains in this movie.
In this song, James Hook gets to show off his vocal range. It’s a high-energy, aggressive pop-rock track that outlines Uliana’s plan to prank Bridget. Hook’s role in the song is to reinforce the group’s "us against them" mentality.
"We're showing them what it means to be a V.K."
That’s the core of his character. He’s someone who finds identity through his association with power. He isn't the one calling the shots, but he’s the one making sure the shots look good. His style—the long coat, the boots, the swagger—is a defense mechanism. It’s a way of saying, "I’m already the pirate I’m going to become."
Why Fans Are Obsessed With This Version of Hook
The internet has a way of latching onto supporting characters.
Just look at TikTok. Within days of the movie's release on Disney+, edits of James Hook in Descendants 4 were everywhere. Why? Because he’s a "theatre kid" villain. He’s flamboyant, he’s sassy, and he has a distinct look that fits perfectly into the Descendants aesthetic.
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There’s also the "Harry Hook connection." Fans of the original trilogy were looking for any hint of the Hook family they already knew. Seeing James gave them a sense of continuity. It’s a bit of fanservice that actually serves the story. By showing James as a teenager, the movie explains why the Hook family is the way it is. They’ve always been about the performance. They’ve always been about the brand.
Comparing James and Harry Hook
It’s inevitable. People are going to compare father and son.
- Harry Hook: Gritty, chaotic, slightly unhinged, Scottish. He felt like he belonged in a back alley in a rough neighborhood.
- James Hook: Polished, theatrical, arrogant, but arguably "softer" than his son. He’s a prep school villain.
The contrast is interesting. It suggests that the Isle of the Lost made the Hook family tougher, but the original James Hook was someone who cared about status and "coolness" above all else.
What’s Next for James Hook in the Descendants Universe?
With the way The Rise of Red ended—spoiler alert: Red and Chloe changed the past—everything is up in the air.
If Bridget never becomes the evil Queen of Hearts, does James Hook still become the villainous Captain?
That’s the big question. The "new" timeline could mean anything. We might see a version of James Hook who is actually a hero. Or maybe a pirate who works for the Crown instead of against it. The cliffhanger at the end of the movie suggests that messing with time has "unintended consequences."
For James, those consequences could be massive. If the V.K.s never formed their tight-knit bond of resentment at Merlin Academy, the entire history of Auradon changes. We might see a sequel where Joshua Colley returns, but as a completely different version of the character.
The Wardrobe and Visual Identity
You can't talk about James Hook in Descendants 4 without talking about the costume design.
Emilio Sosa, the costume designer, did a brilliant job blending the 1950s "greaser/preppy" aesthetic of Merlin Academy with the classic pirate tropes. James wears a red leather jacket that looks like a prototype for the iconic Captain’s coat. He has the ruffles, but they’re styled in a way that feels like a rebellious teenager's version of a school uniform.
It’s all about the foreshadowing. The silver accents, the heavy rings—it’s a teenager trying on a persona. It’s much more effective than just putting a kid in a pirate hat and calling it a day.
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Common Misconceptions About Hook in the New Movie
A lot of people assumed that because this is a "prequel" of sorts, we would see how Hook lost his hand.
We didn't.
At this point in the timeline, James is fully intact. This disappointed a few people who were hoping for a crocodile cameo, but it makes sense for the story being told. The movie isn't Peter Pan Begins; it’s about the culture of Merlin Academy.
Another misconception is that James is the leader of the villains. He’s definitely not. Uliana is the alpha of that group. James is very much a lieutenant. This is actually more consistent with the Captain Hook we know—a man who is often terrified of those more powerful than him (like the Crocodile or even Peter Pan’s cleverness) but takes it out on those beneath him.
Was James Hook a "Good" Person Initially?
The movie hints that none of these kids were inherently "evil." They were just... teenagers.
Bridget was kind. Cinderella was a bit of a rebel. And the villains? They were mostly just kids who felt like outsiders. James Hook’s "evil" in The Rise of Red is mostly posturing. He wants to be part of the "scary" group because it’s better than being a nobody.
This adds a layer of tragedy to the character. If the school system had been different, or if the "heroes" hadn't been so exclusionary, maybe James would have just ended up as a flamboyant sailor instead of a murderous pirate.
Final Thoughts on the Future of the Character
Disney has a hit on its hands with the new generation of Descendants. While Red and Chloe are the leads, the "Young V.K.s" are the ones fans are screaming for in a spin-off.
Whether it’s a Disney+ series or a fifth movie, there is clearly more story to tell with James Hook in Descendants 4. We need to see the fallout of the altered timeline. We need to see if James and Uliana remain friends or become rivals. And most importantly, we need more of those high-energy musical numbers.
If you’re looking to dive deeper into the world of Hook, the best thing you can do is re-watch the original Peter Pan followed by Descendants 2 to see Harry Hook, then finish with The Rise of Red. The evolution of the Hook lineage is one of the most consistent and entertaining parts of the Disney multiverse.
What You Should Do Next
- Watch the "Perfect Revenge" Music Video: Pay attention to Joshua Colley's choreography. It tells you more about the character's arrogance than any line of dialogue.
- Check Out the Soundtrack: The "Rise of Red" soundtrack is on Spotify and Apple Music. James Hook's tracks are highlights if you like that theatrical pop sound.
- Follow the Cast: The young actors are very active on social media, often sharing behind-the-scenes clips of their dance rehearsals, which show just how much work went into creating the "V.K." vibe.
- Re-read the original "Isle of the Lost" books: While the movies deviate from the books, the novels by Melissa de la Cruz provide a lot of context for why the pirate families ended up the way they did.