Actor Dan Payne is a king among men. With over 90 credits to his name, he’s done it all in his career. He’s starred in projects including Stargate: Atlantis, R.L. Stine’s The Haunting Hour, Good Witch, and Mech-X4, but he’s probably best known for his role as Beast in the Disney Channel franchise Descendants. Pop Culturalist caught up with Dan to chat about the film’s third installment.
PC: You’ve played the Beast in all three Descendants films. Has anything surprised you about his journey?
Dan: I want to say I’m surprised at how incredibly successful the franchise has been on such a global scale and how it’s appealed so amazingly to so many of all age groups…it really felt like we were making something special while we were filming it. I’m so grateful to have been part of it!
PC: Has the way you approached your character changed over the course of the three films?
Dan: I don’t think my approach to the character of Beast changed too much throughout the films. I think his primary motivation is always his love for his family. Being a dad in real life, I appreciated playing and growing in the role of Ben’s father.
PC: What has been the biggest lesson that the Beast has taught you?
Dan: To listen! It was great to play a character whose son followed in his footsteps and became the new king. I felt that in order to truly help his son succeed as the new king, Beast had to learn to listen and not dictate to Ben. Beast had to recognize his son’s growth and maturity and advise rather than tell him things. In a way, he had to let him take his own path and be there for him in a new way. I’m a father of two amazing boys, and I think that day will come with them when I’ll have to recognize their strength and take a step back.
PC: What has being a part of the Descendants franchise and Disney family meant for you and your career?
Dan: I have had a phenomenal experience as part of the Disney family! It has been hugely rewarding for me to play Traeger, the main villain on Mech X-4, Gabby Duran’s father, Bruce, on Gabby Duran and The Unsittables, as well as Beast in The Descendants franchise. Disney has been very supportive and helped me grow as an artist. It has been an amazing ride so far, and I hope it continues for a long time to come!
PC: The Descendants 3 premiere had over 8.4 million total views. What do you think it is about this franchise that has resonated with audiences around the world?
Dan: I think it’s undeniable that Kenny Ortega was masterful at the helm of these projects with his directorial genius and command of dance and musicals, and then you add the incredible triple threat talent of the young stars of the film and it elevates to another level of brilliance. But, I think the aspect of these films that resonates the most are the underlying messages of the film like inclusion, don’t judge a book by its cover, stand up for one another, acceptance, and love for yourself and others. The world needs more of all of that.
PC: Given that success, have there been any early conversations about potential fourth film?
Dan: I personally haven’t heard anything, but you never know.
PC: Where would you like to see your character’s story arc head?
Dan: I have to be honest that a part of me would love it if the Beast needed to turn back into the Beast to help overcome whatever foe was challenging peace and harmony in Auradon! You know, a little rough and tumble action for the old guy to show he’s still got it! [laughs] That’s not really a story arc though! So, in terms of a story arc, it might be nice to just see more of the growth of Beast and Belle’s relationship with their son as he matures into a fine king, which would allow him to lighten up and have more fun…and dance?
PC: Guilty pleasure TV show?
Dan: Below Deck
PC: Guilty pleasure movie?
Dan: Any superhero movie!
PC: Favorite book?
Dan: The Alchemist by Paula Coelho
PC: Favorite play or musical?
Dan: Orange Flower Water by Craig Wright
To keep up with Dan, follow him on Twitter and Instagram, and watch Descendants 3 on Amazon Prime or Disney Now.
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