Production Underway for Walt Disney Pictures’ ”Hannah Montana: The Movie”

Peter Chelsom Directs the Full-Length Feature Film Starring Series Regulars Miley Cyrus, Billy Ray Cyrus, Emily Osment, Jason Earles, Mitchel Musso and Moises Arias

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.

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”).

The hit Disney Channel series, “Hannah Montana,” reaches more than 164 million unique total viewers worldwide and has ranked for two consecutive years as the #1 series among children 6-14 on U.S. cable television. Cyrus’ #1 ranking “Hannah Montana” and Miley Cyrus debut soundtracks have combined sales of more than eight million CDs to date. The sold-out 70-date concert tour, “Hannah Montana & Miley Cyrus: Best of Both Worlds” was among the top-grossing tours of 2007. Walt Disney Pictures’ 3-D release “Hannah Montana & Miley Cyrus: Best of Both Worlds Concert” was the highest-grossing Super Bowl weekend release ever, grossing more than $30 million in its opening bow. Cyrus recently completed her forthcoming solo album, which is scheduled for release in July on Hollywood Records. She also lends her voice to Walt Disney Pictures’ upcoming animated feature “Bolt.”
Contacts

Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures/Burbank
Jasmine Madatian, Senior Vice President, Publicity
818-560-5610
or
Jean Marie Murphy, Unit Publicist, 615-778-0167 ext. 223
murphy_jeanmarie {at} yahoo(.)com