Pic is slated to start filming in April 2008 with filming being eyed to take place in Tennessee.
- Nov 23, 2007
AceShowbiz - More information has come on the desk concerning "Hannah Montana", the big screen version of the wildly popular Disney TV series of the same name.
Reports have revealed that the project is slated to begin shooting April next year for an expected release in late 2008 or early 2009. It is further informed that Billy Ray Cyrus, the series star and father of the show's leading lady Miley Cyrus, is keen to have the flick shot in Tennessee, but the deciding factor will be whether the state can match the financial incentives offered by Louisiana.
"The thing of it is, Walt Disney really wants to film this movie in Tennessee," the country singer stated while also informed that pic would center on the Stewart family's return to Tennessee.
The big obstacle to reach the goal, he said, is whether the state is able to compete with Louisiana's financial offerings.
"Quite frankly, I think they are pretty close," the man commented. "We're going to need some immediate assistance from the film commissioner, the legislators, the governor - everybody that would like to see this film come to Tennessee needs to start acting now. They are going to make this decision very quickly."
In contrast to Cyrus' optimism, however, Tennessee officials said they might not be able to offer the producers enough financial incentives though they did believe that the state could benefit from having the movie shot locally.
"It would mean a real impact on tourism and it would be a family friendly film that would come to the state," executive director of the Tennessee Film, Entertainment and Music Commission Perry Gibson admitted yet added that the state is limited in what incentives it can offer.
