logo
'Zombies 4' reminded Milo Manheim, Meg Donnelly to be present

'Zombies 4' reminded Milo Manheim, Meg Donnelly to be present

UPI2 days ago
1 of 5 | From left, Meg Donnelly, Malachi Barton, Freya Skye and Milo Manheim, seen at the 2025 Disney Upfront in New York City, star in "Zombies 4: Dawn of the Vampires." File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
LOS ANGELES, July 7 (UPI) -- Milo Manheim and Meg Donnelly say Zombies 4: Dawn of the Vampires, on Disney Channel Thursday, reflects life lessons and how far they've come since the original 2018 movie Zombies.
The sequel finds high school sweethearts Zed (Manheim) and Addison (Donnelly) contemplating different paths the summer after their freshman year in college. Through the events of the film, they realize their friends and loved ones are most important.
In a recent Zoom interview with UPI, Manheim, 24, and Donnelly, 25, said they related to the film's theme of being present in the moment. Zed realizes he's been neglecting Addison to focus on football, and vice versa for Addison's cheerleading.
"I wouldn't be lying if I said that I think about the fact that I'm getting older every day," Donnelly said. "I try to be as present as possible and try to tell myself that I don't have to have anything figured out."
When Zombies premiered in 2018, Donnelly already had five years of acting credits. The Disney Channel film was Manheim's first lead role, having performed in stage musicals since he was 7.
"I also feel like if you are like I need to get all this done before it's too late, then you can't enjoy the ride," Manheim said. "So I think the best thing we can do for ourselves is just be gratefully present."
Passing the torch
Before they go their separate ways, zombie Zed and alien/human hybrid Addison stumble into a feud between Vampires and Daywalkers, which closely resembles the divisions they faced between humans and zombies as teens.
The Vampires and Daywalkers are battling over a fruit grove that nourishes each of their superpowers. Sure enough, a romance blooms between Daywalker Nova (Freya Skye) and Vampire Victor (Malachi Barton).
In one of Zombie 4's new songs, Zed and Addison literally sing that it's up to Nova and Victor to carry on their message of tolerance.
"I remember looking at that lyric like, 'Oh,'" she said. "'It feels like forever since we were your age. We're passing you the torch so don't hesitate.'"
Manheim laughed at the spinoff possibilities for a Vampires film.
"We literally said 'we pass you the torch,' if it wasn't clear enough," he said.
Barton and Freya were ready to step up. Barton, 18, has been working with Disney Channel since he joined the cast of Stuck in the Middle in 2016, following several Nickelodeon projects.
Barton met Manheim and Donnelly prior to Zombies 4 through events Disney held for its young stars. He was excited to join the pair in what is Barton's first musical.
"Disney Balls were these little proms for all the homeschool kids that were on Disney that didn't get an actual prom," Barton said. "I randomly saw Meg at one of the softball games. We used to have a softball league for Stuck in the Middle."
Zombies 4 is 15-year-old Freya's first movie, after appearing in video games Dragon Quest Treasures and Final Fantasy XVI. Though she practiced ballet before, she trained in hip-hop dance and martial arts for her role as Nova.
"I was doing a couple hours every day of stunt training," Freya said. Now I feel like I've got those skills which is really cool. I feel very tough."
The Vampire clan includes Vera, played by Sway Bhatia, who previously appeared in Disney's Mighty Ducks: Game Changers series. In a separate phone interview with UPI, Sway, 17, said Donnelly and Manheim were also integral to her career.
Sway appeared on stage with Donnelly in New York when Sway was six. She met Manheim at the 2023 premiere of his Disney film Prom Pact, where he predicted she'd be cast in Zombies 4.
"I had no words when he said that," Sway said, adding that, though she still had to audition, co-starring together took them "from fan to friend and family."
Appearing in a musical also took Sway back to the beginning of her career. As a 2-year-old in Dubai, Sway danced in a Priyanka Chopra-Jonas televised concert.
"It was for, I believe, 16 and above," Sway said. "I think they just saw how excited I was to just be in that room surrounded by artists and surrounded by dancers, that they gave me the job."
Three years ago, Sway met Chopra-Jonas again at an event for South Asians in Hollywood.
"I got to show her the photo because I had it in my camera roll," Sway said. "She got emotional just thinking about how long ago it was and how I got to be in this industry so many years later."
Dance challenges
Disney-style dancing required different moves from Sway's Bollywood-style dance background. Sway added that choreographer Dondraico Johnson gave each character dance moves specific to their character.
"For Vera, I think she's such a spunky and sassy character that a lot of me was vamping out to be honest," Sway said. "You have to find that perfect medium of not too scary, slight friendliness in there but still a little bit scary."
The Zombies 4 dances included added challenges like dancing on the beach. Going from studio rehearsals to the sand was a challenge for Freya.
"I struggle carrying my towel and my beach bag down to the place I want on the beach, let alone doing full choreography," Freya said. "In the rehearsal studio we were all like, 'Yeah, we've got this. This is going to be a breeze filming.' I got there, I was sorely mistaken."
Barton said he struggled to nail his steps on the beach.
"Your feet feel like they're 10 pounds heavier than they actually are when you're on sand," Barton said. "You also can't spin around on sand."
The 'Zombies' legacy
One thing that has not changed across four Zombies films is Zed and Addison's love for each other. While another franchise might have broken Zed and Addison up, a believable plot twist for high schoolers, the conflicts in the Zombies films came from adding new monsters each film.
"The more important thing was what they were fighting for," Manheim said, which typically meant Zed and Addison "tried to unite people."
Donnelly said a couple's one or two year anniversary are the biggest hurdles, and Zed and Addison have made it through four movies over seven years.
"In Zombies 4 for sure I think they're solidified which is really cool to see," Donnelly said.
Zombies 4: Dawn of the Vampires streams on Disney+ Friday.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Kyla Pratt, Kelcey Mawema to star in Lifetime's 'Girl in the Cellar'
Kyla Pratt, Kelcey Mawema to star in Lifetime's 'Girl in the Cellar'

UPI

timean hour ago

  • UPI

Kyla Pratt, Kelcey Mawema to star in Lifetime's 'Girl in the Cellar'

1 of 4 | Kyla Pratt, seen at the 2025 BET Awards in Los Angeles, will star in "The Girl in the Cellar." Photo by Greg Grudt/UPI | License Photo July 8 (UPI) -- Lifetime announced Tuesday it has greenlit the TV movie Girl in the Cellar. It will air Saturday, Aug. 23 at 8 p.m. EDT. Kyla Pratt and Kelcey Mawema will star in the movie inspired by a true story. Pratt plays Rebecca, a mother whose daughter, Lory (Mawema), keeps her boyfriend a secret from her mom. When Rebecca finds out, she locks Lory in her cellar. Lory doesn't know, however, that Rebecca's father locked her in the same basement. Girl in the Cellar follows Lifetime true crime movies Girl in the Attic, Girl in the Garage, Girl Locked Upstairs, Girl in the Video, Girl in Room 13, Girl in the Basement, Girl in the Bunker, Girl in the Box and Girl in the Shed. Pratt previously starred in Lifetime original holiday movies Let's Meet Again on Christmas Eve, No Time Like Christmas and The Christmas Pact. Mawema was in Lifetime's Cruel Instruction and The Long Island Serial Killer: A Mother's Hunt for Justice. Eva Gonzalez Szigrisz wrote the script. Robert Adetuyi directs the film.

From ‘Lilo & Stitch' Plushies to Star-Loved Baby Monitors, The Best Prime Day Deals on Toys and Baby Gear
From ‘Lilo & Stitch' Plushies to Star-Loved Baby Monitors, The Best Prime Day Deals on Toys and Baby Gear

Yahoo

timean hour ago

  • Yahoo

From ‘Lilo & Stitch' Plushies to Star-Loved Baby Monitors, The Best Prime Day Deals on Toys and Baby Gear

Kids—they're adorable, sweet, and (let's be honest) surprisingly expensive. But some products actually make life as a parent easier, like the Frida Baby snot sucker (yes, it's exactly what it sounds like), baby monitors and high chairs. Then there are the fun things you want to splurge on—like toys, books, and plushies. Save your sanity (and your wallet) with the best baby and toddler deals from this year's Prime Day. These are the trusted, tried-and-true favorites we wish we'd snagged on sale. Plus, check out our full roundup of the best Prime Day deals here. More from Variety With the Release of the Nintendo Switch 2, the Nintendo Switch 1 OLED Is on Sale Online Bose's Bestselling Portable Speaker Offers Omni-Directional Sound and Is 40% Off for Prime Day Xbox Series X/S Deals: The Next-Gen Gaming Consoles Are Discounted for Prime Day $99.99 $179.95 44% off Buy Now On Amazon This screen-free audio player is perfect for toddlers who love music and stories. Just place a Tonie figure on top to start the fun—no complicated buttons or cords required. It's soft, durable, and a parent favorite for quiet playtime. $18.49 $24.99 26% off Buy Now On Amazon Bring Peppa's adventures to life with this adorable caravan playset. Packed with accessories and room for Peppa's family, it's made for hours of imaginative road trips and backyard camping scenes. $25.99 $29.99 13% off Buy Now On Amazon This huggable Stitch plush is as soft and squishy as he looks—perfect for snuggles, movie marathons, or tagging along on everyday adventures. A must-have for any Disney fan who loves a little mischief and a lot of cuddles. $54.99 $109.99 50% off Buy Now On Amazon A kid-friendly tablet built to withstand drops and spills thanks to its colorful, sturdy case. It comes with a year of Amazon Kids+ for access to books, games, and videos—plus parental controls to give you peace of mind. $9.49 $18.10 48% off Buy Now On Amazon Let your little one set sail on island adventures with this Moana dress-up trunk. It's packed with two costumes and lots of accessories that bring the spirit of the ocean and heroism to playtime. Perfect for imaginative fun and storytelling. $19.99 $24.99 20% off Buy Now On Amazon Bring epic battles to life with this detailed Optimus Prime figure that transforms from robot to truck in seconds. Durable and poseable, it's ideal for kids who love action-packed play and heroic adventures. $34.99 $49.99 30% off Buy Now On Amazon Yes the beloved toy for any toddler, magna-tiles is officially on sale. Every parent will tell you that they are the best and can kill hours of times building stack after stack of rainbow-colored building. Might as well get two. $16.49 $24.99 34% off Buy Now On Amazon Keep kids busy on the go with this compact Bluey activity case filled with 15 fun games and puzzles. Perfect for travel or quiet time, it sparks creativity and keeps little minds entertained anywhere. Buy Now On Amazon $32.99 $32.99 This adorable balance bike (perfect for 1+ years) is on sale, and if you're thinking about balance bikes definitely check out the kids helmets that are on sale for Prime Day. $99.99 $109.98 9% off Buy Now On Amazon Help your little one (and you) get better rest with this smart sound machine and night light bundle. With customizable colors, soothing sounds, and time-to-rise features, it grows with your baby from newborn naps to toddler sleep training—all controllable from your phone. Snag it now for Prime Day plus an extra 20% off with a coupon. $209.99 $279.99 25% off Buy Now On Amazon Make your own baby food with the Beaba, blender and steamer all in one package. The Neo Baby Food Maker is 20% off today and also comes with a glass food container and stainless steel steam basket. The entire line of baby cooking products is 20% off across their store site. Buy Now On Amazon $27.99 $27.99 Cold season is coming, stock up now. The Frida Baby brand is definitely a parent fav. It's full of gadgets and gizmos to help your baby when they're leaking, snotty, gassy or even flaking. The snotsucker is legend, and now they make an electric one (see below). But the thing every parent really needs is a plethora of thermometers (one is never enough). Thankfully, the Frida lets you test the baby's temperature in their ear, forehead and there's also a touchless option. Other great Frida deals include: Grow-with-me Bathtub (30% off) Baby Toothbrush (30% off) 3-in-1 Humidifier, Diffuser + Nightlight (30% off) 2-in-1 Portable Sound Machine + Nightlight (40% off) Frida Baby Baby Basics Kit (30% Off) Electric Snot Sucker (32% Off) Hand-held Snot Sucker (30% Off) $269 $399.00 33% off Buy Now On Amazon If you want even more intel on your baby's sleeping methods and habits, may we suggest the Owlet? dam Levine and Behati Prinsloo have both used it with their little ones, and for good reason. This set tracks and notifies you of pulse rate and oxygen levels, as well as your infant's sleeping trends. The bundle comes with the FDA-approved 'dream sock' that connects to the monitor and your phone. It also keeps tabs on humidity, temperature, and noise levels in your nursery. $159.99 $199.99 20% off Buy Now On Amazon The all-in-one pack 'n-play set from Graco. This three-piece staple has a diaper changing stand, a portable baby bassinet with canopy and the traditional crib at the bottom. Perfect for traveling, visiting guests and will grow with baby. And if this pack 'n-play isn't to your liking, there are a few other Graco deals going on this Prime Day. $13.59 $24.99 46% off Buy Now On Amazon If you're a big wuss (it's OK) and afraid of cutting your kids nails, behold the baby nail file. Prolong the inevitable by adorably buffing your little one's claws with this spinning contraption. $180.00 $225.00 20% off Buy Now On Amazon This stunning high chair from Lalo, along with several children's plateware sets, are all 20% off. Do not sleep on the children's table and chair deal below as well. Best of Variety Oscars 2026: George Clooney, Jennifer Lopez, Julia Roberts, Wagner Moura and More Among Early Contenders to Watch New Movies Out Now in Theaters: What to See This Week 'Harry Potter' TV Show Cast Guide: Who's Who in Hogwarts?

Watch: 'Shiny Happy People' Season 2 trailer explores secrets of Teen Mania
Watch: 'Shiny Happy People' Season 2 trailer explores secrets of Teen Mania

UPI

timean hour ago

  • UPI

Watch: 'Shiny Happy People' Season 2 trailer explores secrets of Teen Mania

July 8 (UPI) -- Prime Video released a trailer for Shiny Happy People: A Teenage Holy War, a documentary series delving into the secrets of the Teen Mania youth ministry group. The three-part series, from creators Nicole Newnham and Cori Shepherd, marks the second season of Shiny Happy People, after the filmmakers previously profiled the Duggars in 2023's Shiny Happy People: Duggar Family Secrets. Season 2 explores the secrets and controversies of Teen Mania, which was once the largest Christian youth organization in the United States. "Teen Mania captivated a generation of fervent evangelical Millennial kids with adrenaline-fueled, ecstatic religious experiences through 'Acquire the Fire' rallies," the official synopsis reads. "But beneath the glittering surface lurked sadistic boot camps, staged martyrdom drills and fascism disguised as faith -- transforming innocent teens into fanatical soldiers, with devastating consequences still unfolding today." Shiny Happy People: A Teenage Holy War premieres July 23 on Prime Video.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store