AceShowbiz - Disney has officially confirmed the upcoming production of Zombies 5, the next installment in the hugely popular Zombies franchise. Following four successful movies and an animated series, the franchise has amassed over a quarter-billion streaming hours and remains a standout on Disney+.

The original stars Milo Manheim and Meg Donnelly will return not only in their acting roles but also as executive producers for the new film. Additionally, Trevor Tordjman is set to reprise his role as Bucky, the cheer captain and cousin of Addison from the original trilogy. Production is scheduled to begin this spring in New Zealand, though an official title for the film will be revealed at a later date.

The story will pick up following the events of Zombies 4: Dawn of the Vampires. In this new chapter, the fragile peace between Daywalkers and Vampires is challenged when a group of formidable mermaids arrive in Rayburn. These newcomers stir up disruption by luring potential allies with a compelling siren song. The central characters Nova and Victor must unite their communities once again to uncover the mermaids’ true intentions and defend the harmony they have fought to establish.

Returning cast members include Malachi Barton as Victor, Freya Skye as Nova, Swayam Bhatia as Vera, Julian Lerner as Ray, and Mekonnen Knife as Vargas, all of whom appeared in Zombies 4: Dawn of the Vampires. Disney has also introduced new characters in the form of three mysterious mermaids: Diaana Babnicova portrays Pearl, described as a “cool-girl,” Taylor Oliver plays Fin, the “bad-boy,” and Olive Mortimer is Sandy, a “tech-wiz.”

Another fresh addition to the cast is Emily Costtrici, who will play Izzy, a zombie and Zed’s cousin, joining the story as a new transfer student. This expanded ensemble promises to bring new dynamics and excitement to the franchise.

The Zombies series has become one of Disney Channel’s most beloved original movie franchises since its debut in 2018. It has maintained high viewership on Disney+ and inspired soundtracks that have charted successfully. The announcement of Zombies 5 coincides with Disney Channel’s celebration of milestone anniversaries for other iconic franchises such as High School Musical and Hannah Montana, the latter also marking a special return for Miley Cyrus.

Fans can currently watch all four Zombies movies along with the animated show Zombies: The Re-Animated Series on Disney+. Additionally, a new short-form series titled Locker Diaries: Zombies is available on Disney+, YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok, with new episodes released every Saturday.

With the franchise’s proven popularity and the return of its original stars in key creative and acting roles, anticipation is high for what Zombies 5 will bring. The film’s production in New Zealand this spring signals that Disney is investing in continuing the story that has captivated audiences worldwide.