The monster-filled world of Seabrook is getting even bigger. Disney Branded Television confirmed today that a fifth installment of the massive ZOMBIES franchise is officially in the works for Disney+ and Disney Channel. This news comes on the heels of the huge success of the fourth film, which saw millions of viewers tuning in to see vampires join the mix.
Fans of the recent chapter will be happy to hear that Malachi Barton and Freya Skye are returning as Victor and Nova. The duo became fast favorites in the fourth movie, and their story is far from over.
Original franchise stars Milo Manheim and Meg Donnelly are also staying close to the project. While they won’t be in front of the camera as Zed and Addison this time around, they are serving as executive producers. Trevor Tordjman is also set to return as Bucky, the energetic cheer captain who has been a staple of the series since the very beginning.
Production is scheduled to start this spring in New Zealand. While Disney has not yet settled on a final title for the movie, the plot details show a major shift in the Seabrook universe.
A New Threat from the Sea. The story picks up right after the peace treaty between the Daywalkers and Vampires in ZOMBIES 4: Dawn of the Vampires. That harmony is quickly interrupted when a group of fierce mermaids arrives in Rayburn. These newcomers use a powerful siren song to try to recruit allies, forcing Nova and Victor to team up once again. They have to figure out the true intentions of these sea-dwellers before the community falls apart.
The cast is expanding to include several new actors playing the mermaid trio, Diaana Babnicova as Pearl, Taylor Oliver as Fin, and Olive Mortimer as Sandy
The zombie population is also growing with Emily Costtrici joining as Izzy, a new transfer student and cousin to Zed.
Director Paul Hoen, who has led the entire franchise, is back behind the lens. The movie will feature its signature high-energy dance numbers choreographed by Dondraico Johnson and a brand-new original score.
Ayo Davis, president of Disney Branded Television, noted that adding mermaids provides a fresh dynamic for the series while keeping the core themes of unity and acceptance.
A Big Year for Disney Fans
This announcement arrives during a packed year for the network. Along with ZOMBIES 5, fans are looking forward to the premieres of Descendants: Wicked Wonderland and Camp Rock 3 later this summer. The “Worlds Collide Tour” is also making a comeback, featuring stars from all three major musical franchises.
For those who need to catch up, the entire ZOMBIES collection is currently available to stream on Disney+.
