The Miley Cyrus Phenomenon shows no signs of stopping.
The fifteen year-old daughter of the legendary Billy Ray Cyrus is already, arguably, the most influential teenager in the world right now, thanks to her work on the extraordinarily and, some would say, inexplicably popular Disney show, Hannah Montana. Just the mere mention of her name turns this correspondent’s nieces into unrecognisable squeal machines.
And now she’s breaking into movies, big-time. Later this year, she can be heard in Disney’s big animated comedy, Bolt (which looks pretty damn good, judging from the exclusive footage we saw at Movie-Con). And now she’s signed on to another Disney film – one that’s notable for the involvement of top novelist, Nicholas Sparks.
Sparks, who wrote The Horse Whisperer, Nights In Rodanthe, The Notebook and Zombie Mutant Death Killers From The Bowels Of Hell (ok, maybe not that one), is currently working on an untitled novel, which will form the basis for the new movie.
He’s also working on the screenplay, in conjunction with the novel, with a view to tailoring it specifically for Cyrus. The novel should be released first, next autumn.
Sparks became involved after being approached by the Disney-based production company, Offspring Entertainment, which is run by director Adam Shankman and Jennifer Gibgot. Their model for the movie is A Walk To Remember – another film based on a Sparks novel – which was effective in turning Mandy Moore from just another teen singer into a talented multi-threat.
Only time will tell if Cyrus can develop into a serious actress. But this is an interesting development, considering that she's currently working on a Hannah Montana movie, and is attached to a remake/update of Adventures In Babysitting, entitled Further Adventures In Babysitting.
It’s early days yet for the movie, but we’ll keep an eye on this, if only for the sanity of our nieces. Oh, and we couldn’t let you go without mentioning that Cyrus’ mother Tish will executive produce the movie. Tish, by the way, is half woman, half cymbal.