MALACHI BARTON, MEG DONNELLY, MILO MANHEIM, Freya Skye.Credit: Disney/Matt Klitscher
Disney/Matt Klitscher
Zombies 4 Cast Says Final Goodbye as New Generation Rises: "We’re Passing the Torch"
It’s the end of an era—and the beginning of something new.
Seven years after the Zombies franchise first danced into our lives on Disney Channel, the original cast is bidding a heartfelt farewell in the fourth installment, Zombies 4: Dawn of the Vampires. But they’re not doing it alone—they’re handing the torch to a brand-new generation of monsters and misfits ready to carry on the legacy.
For stars Milo Manheim, Meg Donnelly, and Chandler Kinney—who have become household names among Disney fans—this movie marks an emotional turning point. Though they return in Zombies 4, the film feels like a final bow for their beloved characters: Zed, Addison, and Willa.
“It’s a very nice goodbye,” Manheim told PEOPLE exclusively. “Casting these kids, knowing we were passing this torch on… it just became clearer and clearer that they are the right ones to carry on the legacy.”
Zombies 4: A Farewell That Hits Different
When Zombies 3 aired in 2022, many believed it would be the last. Meg Donnelly remembers watching the third film with tears in her eyes, thinking her journey as Addison had ended.
“I sobbed and mourned, then cried,” she recalled. “I genuinely thought that was the last time we were doing a Zombies movie.”
But life had one more surprise. When the fourth film got greenlit, both she and Manheim were invited back—not just as actors, but also as executive producers, helping shape the next chapter of the universe they helped create.
This time, though, their focus was different. “It was more so being an older sister or a mom,” Donnelly explained. “Watching all the kids and seeing them cry and react… I definitely cried, for sure, but it was more so everything we’ve been through personally, like Meg and Milo—not necessarily Zombies.”
The Emotional Legacy of Willa and the Werewolves
For Chandler Kinney, who joined the franchise in Zombies 2, Zombies 4 was equally poignant. She compared the filming process to “summer camp”—a place of discovery, mistakes, and friendships that change you forever.
“Every time I feel like I’ve come out changed—and changed for the better.”
Willa, her fierce and unapologetic werewolf character, taught Kinney to step into her power—not only as an actress but as a person.
“Playing her demanded so much of me. I had to dig deep to find those characteristics… trusting myself, standing up for myself, advocating for myself.”
A Bond That Transcends the Screen
The Zombies films didn’t just create fantasy storylines—they built lifelong relationships. Donnelly and Manheim, in particular, leaned on one another through their meteoric rise.
“We’ve seen each other in so many phases of our life,” Donnelly said. “Going through this process together, there’s a part of me nobody else will understand but Milo.”
And it’s clear Manheim feels the same: “Me and Meg will absolutely be a part of this franchise in its entire existence moving forward—at least behind the camera.”
Zombies 4: A New Era Begins
Zombies 4: Dawn of the Vampires introduces an entirely new cast of characters, opening the door for fresh adventures while honoring the original trilogy’s heart and humor. Though the original cast returns in supporting roles, it’s the new generation’s time to shine.
Kinney remembers the moment it all hit her: a simple dinner with the new cast.
“Meg and I got a bit teary-eyed just watching the kids talk about their days and rehearsals,” she said. “It brought up so much and we’re so excited for them.”
What the Franchise Has Meant
The Zombies franchise has always stood out for its message of inclusivity, love, and being proud of who you are. From zombies to werewolves to aliens—and now vampires—the films champion what it means to be different in a world that fears “otherness.”
Manheim emphasized the importance of that theme in today’s world:
“It’s a movie about how love is powerful… how sometimes just because it’s a rule doesn’t mean it’s right.”
And even as their characters move off-screen, the impact remains. Donnelly, Kinney, and Manheim will continue to inspire young viewers—and future actors—who look to Zombies as a safe, fun, and empowering world to grow up with.
The Final Curtain, But Not the End
Zombies 4: Dawn of the Vampires premieres July 10, 2025, on Disney Channel, and streams on Disney+ the next day. It’s more than just another movie—it’s a celebration of everything the franchise has stood for.
As fans prepare to say goodbye to Zed, Addison, and Willa, there’s comfort in knowing their stories helped pave the way for something greater: a new generation learning to embrace their uniqueness, just like their predecessors.
And as Milo Manheim so perfectly put it:
“I am here to aid the Zombies universe however that may be.”
The universe is in good hands.
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