Disney has found its “Prom” dates.
The Mouse House has tapped nine unknowns to headline the cast of its high school comedy about a group of teens prepping for the big dance.
They are: Thomas McDonell, Aimee Teegarden, Danielle Campbell, Nolan Sotillo, Yin Chang , Jared Kusnitz, Nicholas Braun, Ben Esler, Kylie Bunbury and DeVaughn Nixon.
Teegarden had previously appeared in “Friday Night Lights,” while Chang, Braun, Kusnitz and Esler can credit “Gossip Girl,” “10 Things I Hate About You,” “Surviving Suburbia,” and “The Pacific,” respectively.
The tone of “Prom” is said to be similar to the types of teen comedies helmed by John Hughes or Cameron Crowe, like “Sixteen Candles.”
Disney’s plans for “Prom” came to light earlier this year when it recruited Joe Nussbaum to helm the project, based on a script by Katie Wech, (Daily Variety, Feb. 17).
Ted Griffin and Justin Springer will produce.
Early plans had “Prom” being produced for around $5 to $10 million and featuring fresh faces. The studio had been encouraged by “High School Musical’s” ability to launch new stars like Zac Efron, Vanessa Hudgens, Ashley Tisdale and Corbin Bleu, virtual unknowns at the time, but who hellped launch a major franchise for Disney Channel and later the studio. A fourth “High School Musical” is in the works at Disney Channel.
Starstruck
