Zombies 5 Dives Deep: Mermaids Make Waves!

The beloved "Zombies" franchise is set to make a splash with its fifth installment, "Zombies 5." This new film will introduce a trio of mermaids, a novel addition that Ayo Davis, president of Disney Branded Television, believes will "open up a completely different dynamic" for the series. The mermaids' arrival in Rayburn is poised to test the fragile peace between the Daywalkers and Vampires, challenging the unity and acceptance at the core of the films.

Malachi Barton and Freya Skye will reprise their roles as Victor and Nova, respectively, leading the effort to understand the mermaids' true intentions and protect the established harmony. They will be joined by returning cast members Trevor Tordjman as Bucky, Swayam Bhatia as Vera, Julian Lerner as Ray, and Mekonnen Knife as Vargas. Newcomers Diaana Babnicova, Taylor Oliver, and Olive Mortimer will portray the mermaid characters Pearl, Fin, and Sandy. Additionally, Emily Costtrici joins as Izzy, Zed's zombie cousin.

Production for "Zombies 5" is slated to begin this spring in New Zealand. The "Zombies" franchise has a strong track record for Disney Channel Original Movies, with previous films achieving significant ratings and streaming success. The fourth film alone garnered 9.3 million global views in its initial nine days of streaming and reached 43 million views within six months, underscoring the franchise's broad appeal.

Paul Hoen will return to direct and executive produce, having helmed every "Zombies" film to date. The creative team also includes executive producers Manheim, Donnelly, Jane Fleming, Mark Ordesky, Joseph Raso, and David Light. Skot Bright will produce, with choreography by Dondraico Johnson and an original score by Tom Howe. Chris Hazzard, Michael Fontana, and Eydie Faye are newly joining as writers for the fifth film.