Film Guide

Press Release: Production is underway for Walt Disney Pictures’ “Hannah Montana: The Movie,” starring actress-singer Miley Cyrus in her first full-length feature film.  Filming in and around Nashville, Tenn., and Los Angeles, “Hannah Montana: The Movie” is slated for a Spring 2009 release in the United States and is scheduled for release in New Zealand on July 02, 2009.

Director Peter Chelsom (“Serendipity,” “Shall We Dance?”) helms this music-filled comedy adventure based on Disney Channel’s blockbuster television series, “Hannah Montana,” in which Cyrus stars as a teenage girl who lives a secret life as a pop star.  The film also features “Hannah Montana” series regulars Emily Osment (“Spy Kids2: Island of Lost Dreams”),  Jason Earles (“National Treasure”), Mitchel Musso (“Secondhand Lions”) and Moises Arias (“Nacho Libre”) and Billy Ray Cyrus ( “Doc”).

Also starring are Melora Hardin (“The Office,” “Seventeen Again”), Margo Martindale (“The Riches,” “Million Dollar Baby,”), Barry Bostwick (“Spin City”), Peter Gunn (“Ever After”) and Lucas Till ( “Walk the Line”) and Vanessa Williams (“Ugly Betty”).

Written by Dan Berendsen (“Twitches,” “The Initiation of Sarah”), the film follows Miley Stewart as Hannah Montana’s soaring popularity threatens to take over her life.  With a little urging from her father, the teenager travels back to her hometown of Crowley Corners, Tenn., to rediscover what’s really important.

Producers Miles Millar and Alfred Gough, whose film screenwriting credits include the upcoming “The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor,” “Spider-Man 2″ and “Shanghai Noon,” are producing the film, marking the duo’s first feature under their Walt Disney-based production company, Millar/Gough Ink.   The duo also created and served as executive producers of the critically acclaimed action-adventure series, “Smallville,” which is now in its eighth season.

The film is executive produced by David Blocker (“Don King: Only In America,” “Into the Wild”), Michael Poryes and Steve Peterman.  Director of photography is David Hennings (“Blue Crush”) and the production designer is Caroline Hanania (“Serendipity,” “Shall We Dance?”). The costume designer is Christopher Lawrence (“Cellular”), the editor is Virginia Katz (“Dreamgirls”), and the choreographer is Jamal Sims (“Hairspray,” “Step Up,” “Step Up 2: The Streets”).  The composer is Grammy-winner Alan Silvestri (“Cast Away,” “Forrest Gump”).

In New Zealand, “Hannah Montana” is seen on Disney Channel from Monday to Friday at 5.30pm and “Hannah Montana / Miley Cyrus: Best of Both Worlds Concert” in 3D will air on Disney Channel on August 2 2008 at 6.30pm. The “Hannah Montana” series screens on TV3’s schedule where it ranked #2 in its timeslot among kids age 5-14. The soundtrack “Hannah Montana 2 / Meet Miley Cyrus” has achieved GOLD status with a number 6 peak chart position in the Album Chart’s Top 40 over the last 17 weeks in New Zealand. Miley Cyrus’ forthcoming solo album is scheduled for release on Hollywood Records later this year. Two DVDs have been released in the market: “Hannah Montana V1 Behind The Spotlight” and “Hannah Montana V2 Popstar Profile”. October 8 will see the much anticipated release of “Hannah Montana / Miley Cyrus: Best of Both Worlds Concert Tour” DVD on both 2D and a 3D version.