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Sixteen years after "Camp Rock" last hit screens, the Disney franchise is heading back to camp, this time under the direction of Veronica Rodriguez, who is blending the nostalgic tone of the original films with a fresh sensibility for a new generation. Rodriguez is steering the upcoming third installment for Disney Channel and Disney+, which features a cast led by Liamani Segura and Malachi Barton.
Rodriguez, who also directed Disney's "The Slumber Party," said reconciling expectations from longtime fans with the needs of a new audience was central to the project. "I needed to make a movie that simultaneously satisfied the new Camp Rockers and the nostalgia campers," she said, describing the challenge as her "Mount Everest."
The director said she approached the project as "Camp Rock Plus," aiming to expand on elements from the original films across costumes, character development and musical numbers. The soundtrack incorporates a range of musical genres, which Rodriguez said reflects current trends in pop music.
Segura and Barton, both already popular with young audiences through their roles in the "Descendants" and "Zombies" franchises, lead the new cast alongside Lumi Pollack, Sherry Cola, Hudson Stone, Casey Trotter, Brooklynn Pitts and Ava Jean. Rodriguez compared Segura's trajectory to that of Demi Lovato, who starred in the original films, and said Barton learned guitar for his role.
Lovato, who also serves as an executive producer, makes a surprise cameo in the film, reprising her role as Mitchie Torres, a character she originated in the first two "Camp Rock" movies. Rodriguez said the team held discussions with Lovato about balancing her character's presence with focus on the new cast, noting that Mitchie's dialogue in the film addresses the shift in generations directly.
The film also features a cameo from Milo Manheim, who plays a songwriting instructor at the camp. Manheim previously co-starred with Barton in "Zombies 4: Dawn of the Vampires." The Jonas Brothers, who serve as executive producers, contributed to production and creative work on a song performed in the film by their in-story band, Connect 3.
Maria Canals-Barrera returns as Connie, now serving as camp director rather than head cook. Rodriguez said additional scenes featuring the character were added after a positive response to an early table read.
The film includes references to the original films, including a callback line delivered by Cola's character and the return of a songwriting notebook introduced in the first movie. The antagonist character, played by Ava Jean, was modeled after Tess from the original films, according to Rodriguez.
Rodriguez said the film also reflects contemporary issues facing young audiences, including a scene in which campers have their phones confiscated. "I am a very big proponent of face-to-face communication," she said, adding that she hopes the film encourages viewers to spend more time interacting in person.
"Camp Rock 3" premieres Thursday on Disney Channel, with a Disney+ release the following day. The film was written by Eydie Faye, choreographed by Jamal Sims, and executive produced by Tim Federle, the Jonas Brothers, Lovato, Betsy Sullenger, Spencer Berman, and Gary Marsh.
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