May 25, 2008 - The scandal involving Miley Cyrus' topless photo shoot for Vanity Fair didn't change Walt Disney Pictures' plan to bring the popular Hannah Montana TV series to the big screen. Miley Cyrus is heading to theaters with a starring role in the appropriately, although unimaginatively, titled film - Hannah Montana: The Movie.
Parents of Hannah Montana fans went ballistic after the teen star posed topless for famed photographer Annie Leibovitz. Seeing the squeaky queen Disney star showing that much skin was a shock to many adults, and Disney folks were bracing for the negative backlash generated by the Vanity Fair cover. However despite the Vanity Fair controversy, Disney's moving ahead with the Hannah Montana movie being filmed in and around Nashville, Tennessee and Los Angeles, California.
Described as a music-filled comedy, Hannah Montana: The Movie is directed by Peter Chelsom (Shall We Dance?) from a screenplay by Dan Berendsen. Joining Miley Cyrus in the feature film will be series regulars Emily Osment, Mitchel Musso, Jason Earles, Moises Arias, and Miley's dad, Billy Ray Cyrus. The behind the scenes team includes director of photography David Hennings, production designer Caroline Hanania, costume designer Christopher Lawrence, and editor Virginia Katz. Jamal Sims handles choreography duty and Alan Silvestri is the composer.
The studio's aiming for a spring 2009 release.
Hannah Montana: The Movie Official Synopsis
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.
Source: Walt Disney Pictures
