Cameron Boyce’s Final Film ‘Runt’ Set for Posthumous Release Following Decades-Old Legal Battle Over Estate Rights
NEW YORK (AP) — In a landmark development, the long-awaited theatrical release of actor Cameron Boyce’s final film, “Runt,” has been officially scheduled for next month, concluding a decade-long legal dispute over the star’s posthumous estate earnings. Boyce, best known for his roles in the Disney Channel’s “Jessie” and the “Descendants” franchise, passed away in July 2019 from sudden unexpected death in epilepsy at age 20. The film, a coming-of-age drama about a stray dog’s journey, was completed in 2018 but withheld from distribution following a series of legal challenges between the production company and the Boyce family trust. According to court documents unsealed Monday, the dispute centered on contractual language regarding revenue from digital streaming and charitable donations mandated by Boyce’s will. A Los Angeles Superior Court judge has now approved a settlement granting the film a limited theatrical run beginning March 15, 2025, with proceeds directed to the Cameron Boyce Foundation to fund epilepsy research. Disney Channel has declined to comment on the release.