Nostalgia alert! Several former Disney Channel stars are teaming up for an all-new movie. However, the storyline may not be something we would expect to see out of the House of Mouse. Howdy, Neighbor!, a new LGBTQ+ horror film, is officially in production.
Hailing from director Allisyn Snyder, previously known as Allisyn Ashley Arm (or Zora Lancaster to Sonny with a Chance fans), the film features such Disney Channel alums as Debby Ryan, Alyson Stoner, and others. The cast of Disney alums led co-star Alyson Stoner to bill the film as essentially The Suite Life of Camp Rock with a Chance. Though here, the subject matter is much more mature than we may be used to with Disney. Notably, the central characters of the film are former child actors who will be played by former child actors, with some events reportedly drawn from real-life occurrences.
With that, let’s look at everything we know so far about Howdy, Neighbor! What can we expect from the storyline? Which other Disney Channel alums will be making appearances in the film? When and where will the film be released? And what else should we know about Howdy, Neighbor!?
Howdy, Neighbor: The Plot
As mentioned, the storyline will explore LGBTQ+ horror themes with former Disney Channel actors. It seems like a natural jump from their Disney roles, right?
The official synopsis reads:
“[Matthew Scott] Montgomery stars as Benjamin, a young queer Millennial actor living in West Hollywood who was once a famous child actor. When a new neighbor Chase (Grant Jordan) moves across the hall and reveals himself as a fan, Benjamin begins investigating the oddly familiar man with his best friend Harley ([Debby] Ryan)."
Reportedly, the film will also incorporate elements of the emerging “screenlife” genre. This means that all or most of the film’s footage will be taking place on computer screens. It is a modern reimagining of the found footage horror genre made famous by movies like The Blair Witch Project.
The concept of former child stars playing former child stars is a unique one to explore, as they have insights into the industry that many on the outside do not. The film will also reportedly incorporate real-life experiences from its stars into the storyline. Many child stars, on kids’ networks especially, have faced more than a few struggles during their time in the industry. With Disney Channel, in particular, names like Demi Lovato, Miley Cyrus, Bella Thorne, and more come to mind, with potentially more still unrevealed.
This film has the chance to explore what happens to child stars through the eyes of former child stars (both the actors and the characters they play). If done successfully, Howdy, Neighbor! could be a powerful statement on the dangers of exploiting young talent, straight from some of that young talent themselves. Additional plot information will likely follow in the coming weeks and months.
Howdy, Neighbor: The Cast & Crew
For those who grew up watching Disney Channel in the late 2000s and early 2010s, Howdy, Neighbor! could feel like a great big reunion of some of our favorite childhood stars. In the leading role is Matthew Scott Montgomery from So Random! Not only is Montgomery playing former child star Benjamin, but he is also the film's writer. The writing will likely take inspiration from his time on set with his So Random! co-star, director Allison Snyder. The cast also includes Montgomery and Snyder’s So Random! castmates Shayne Topp and Damien Haas (now perhaps better known for Smosh fame).
Actor Grant Jordan will be playing Chase, Benjamin’s new neighbor and fan who seems oddly familiar. From Jessie, Debby Ryan will play the role of Harley, the best friend of lead character Benjamin. Her Jessie co-star Kevin Chamberlin will also be appearing in a currently unknown role. Alyson Stoner of Camp Rock and Phineas and Ferb is also set for a leading role. Based on her comments about characters incorporating real life, we can assume that her character will be at least partially based on her own life. Tim Bagley, who has had bit roles on Shake it Up! and Raven’s Home, is appearing in an unknown part. Additionally, actors Adam Faison, Sterling Sulieman, Kimmy Shields, and Greer Grammer are also set to make appearances.
This film seems to be tailored toward those of us who grew up with these stars and want to see them in a new project, albeit one more mature than their Disney Channel days. The Disney audience has grown up, so it makes sense that the actors would grow into more adult roles.
Release Date
There is no confirmed release date for Howdy, Neighbor! as of this writing, though production was reportedly set to begin in July 2022. If that is the case, we can likely expect a release date roughly within the next year, though that is still speculation.