Disney’s beloved musical franchise is back with a bang as Zombies 4: Dawn of the Vampires makes its much-anticipated return this Thursday. The latest installment introduces fresh faces Nova and Victor, portrayed by Freya Skye and Malachi Barton, respectively.
In an exclusive conversation, Barton shared his excitement about joining the franchise, stating, “Stepping into this franchise is definitely a wild experience. It’s my first musical, and the prep for that was unreal.” His co-star Skye echoed his enthusiasm, discussing the extensive effort that went into their musical numbers, especially their duet “Dreams Come True.” She elaborated on the process, which included chemistry reads and collaborative filming sessions, enhancing their focus on developing the characters’ relationship.
Since its debut in 2018, the franchise has been led by Milo Manheim and Meg Donnelly, who reprise their roles as the main characters Zed and Addison in this new chapter. While Nova and Victor lead a new storyline against the backdrop of community challenges, Barton noted, “Our characters are definitely Zed and Addison-like, but in a different font.” This highlights the narrative’s growth while maintaining the charm of the original.
Zombies 4 follows Zed and Addison on a summer road trip that leads them into a rivalry between two supernatural worlds: Daywalkers versus Vampires. With the aid of friends Eliza and Willa, they take on the role of camp counselors, aiming to bridge the divide between the two factions, which is crucial as they face a new, larger threat. The film will debut on Disney Channel on July 10 before streaming on Disney+ the following day.
This new adventure encapsulates themes of unity and understanding, reminding audiences of the importance of coming together despite differences, making it an inspiring addition to the franchise.