As the countdown for the new upcoming Disney Channel Original Movie Descendants 2 charges forward. And as excited as everyone is, include everyone at BCSKids. We call cannot help but to wonder what the next film in the ever growing chain of DCOMs might be. Longtime fans of Disney Channel’s made for television films are not going to have to ponder for too long what the next story will be.
Things are going to be a bit…undead.
And yes, we mean zombies.
Oh, and it is a musical. Did I mention that?
Here are the full press release details for the upcoming DCOM, Zombies.
The Mouse House announced Thursday that it has begun production on a music-and-dance-filled movie called Zombies. The film is set in Seabrook, a suburban town preoccupied with uniformity, traditions, and pep rallies. Then, transfer students from Zombietown integrate into Seabrook High School and a cheerleader and zombie football star, Addison and Zed, fall in love. Amid chaos and confusion, it’s up to them to lead their community to coexistence.
Zombies stars Meg Donnelly (American Housewife) as Addison and Milo Manheim (Ghost Whisperer) as Zed. Also starring are Trevor Tordjman (The Next Step) as Addison’s cousin and head cheerleader Bucky, Kylee Russell (Jump In) as Zed’s zombie best friend Eliza and Carla Jeffery (Curb Your Enthusiasm) as Addison’s friend Bree.
The film is directed by Jeffrey Hornaday and choreographed by Christopher Scott and Hornaday, who previously worked together on Teen Beach Movie. Effie Brown (Dear White People) and Hornaday are executive producers. Zombies is set to premiere in 2018 as a Disney Channel Original Movie.
“We’re thrilled to be working with Jeffrey Hornaday again to bring this new world of zombies and cheerleading to life,” said Adam Bonnett, executive vice president of original programming for Disney Channels Worldwide, in a statement. “Jeffrey and Chris Scott have delivered some of our most memorable musical sequences on Disney Channel; and now with Effie Brown on board as an executive producer, we are excited to deliver this inspirational story about tolerance, inclusion, individuality, and conviction — each relatable themes for our viewers.”
Anyone questioning if zombies are still relevant have their answer.
Like many others, I cannot help to find myself thinking somewhat about Monster High. More specifically, that of 2012 direct-to-DVD Ghouls Rule and the initial book series by Lisi Harrison. As the core of both the film and the four book long series dealt with the idea of monsters finding themselves in situations with humans (or as they called them normies). And ultimately try to find that common ground.
For the most part, however, the very little we know of Zombies is formulaic. I think everyone can ramble off a short hand list of other works that run with a similar path. If you really wanted to be analytical, you could see the great parallels of High School Musical, Teen Beach Musical and Descendants in Zombies.
Having two, highly differing groups of people with their own set of beliefs and unique backgrounds, worlds collide. And having to come together by some means overcome a greater evil.
It is commonplace.
But if written well, with strong well-defined and developed characters it can become grand.
Time will only tell.
Facebook
Twitter
Google+
YouTube
RSS