By India McCarty
Disney’s ZOMBIES franchise is one of its most successful recent movie series, but stars Milo Manheim and Meg Donnelly never expected to make a ZOMBIES 4: DAWN OF THE VAMPIRES.
“I didn’t think we would be talking about ZOMBIES 2, let alone ZOMBIES 3, let alone ZOMBIES 4,” Manheim told Deadline. “I think when I got into this, I just wanted to be in a cool movie for Disney. But now I think the reason I’m still here is because of all the positivity I’ve seen the ZOMBIES franchise bring the world.”
He added, “I feel like it always has a great message, but it’s always told in such a fun, palatable way. Also, you just get to travel and meet cool people and continue spreading good vibes. So who wouldn’t want to do that?”
Donnelly agreed, explaining that in ZOMBIES 4, she and Manheim both enjoyed “passing the torch” to new cast mates.
“It’s such a unique opportunity that we have to kind of help this new cast out, and it was awesome,” she said.
In ZOMBIES 4, Manheim and Donnelly reprise their roles as zombie Zed and alien Addison, respectively, as they “inadvertently become camp counselors to two opposing monster factions — Daywalkers and Vampires,” per an official synopsis from Disney.
“As tensions flare between the rival groups, the Seabrook crew must convince Nova, a Daywalker, and Victor, a Vampire, to try to unite their warring worlds to prevent a greater threat that endangers them all,” the synopsis continued.
ZOMBIES 4 is already a big hit with fans of the franchise, and has earned favorable reviews. Movieguide® praised it for its “very strong moral worldview,” as well as its emphasis on “moral lessons of breaking negative generational patterns, teamwork above differences, and the importance of family and friends.”
Related: ZOMBIES 4: DAWN OF THE VAMPIRES
So, are Donnelly and Manheim ready to sign on for ZOMBIES 5?
“I feel like this movie [ZOMBIES 4], because the four of us are involved, it’s very split between the two,” Donnelly said. “I think it’s literally just the start of the kids’ story, and I feel like there needs to be another one to tell their story.”
Manheim echoed his co-star’s sentiment, saying ZOMBIES 4 is almost like “the start of another trilogy.”
“I think that one of the amazing things about this franchise is that we’ve kind of created this universe that can go any direction,” he continued. “We’re really just expanding and literally getting outside of Seabrook. So I’m curious to see what happens. I think the world could always use another ZOMBIES movie.”
In an interview with Disney, the pair spoke about the enduring popularity of the ZOMBIES movies, pointing to the franchise’s message of acceptance and celebrating our differences.
“There’s a really strong message of acceptance, especially in ZOMBIES 4. It applies to kids and adults,” Donnelly said. “It’s a message we all learn, and I think ZOMBIES does a great job of explaining it with really fun, positive vibes.”
Manheim explained the movies “just [make] people feel good,” adding, “It’s got such a positive message.”
The ZOMBIES franchise is massively successful, with fans around the world loving both the movies’ interesting storylines, as well as their moral messages. Fingers crossed we get ZOMBIES 5 soon!
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