15 years after the release of the “Camp Rock” sequel, a third movie is now in the works. The film was announced in September, preparing it to be released in theatres by 2026..
Thankfully, some familiar faces in the franchise will be returning. The Jonas Brothers will assume their previous roles as the face of the ‘Connect 3’ band in the new movie. Demi Lovato, on the other hand, will not appear as Mitchie in the film, but is working behind the scenes as an executive producer. Another vital character to the series, Caitlyn, played by Alyson Stoner, will also not be a part of the movie. These significant changes raise questions about the film and how the plot will play out.
The story picks up from the point when ‘Connect 3’ loses their opening act for a reunion tour. In search of candidates, they come back to Camp Rock to find new talent. Campers are excited about the opportunity to potentially open for their favorite band, but tensions rise in the competition, creating unexpected alliances and romances.
“Camp Rock 3” seems to follow the trend of creating a newer take on 2000-2010 movies. This has been seen in other popular franchises like “High School Musical,” with the creation of “High School Musical: The Musical: The Series” and “Descendants” with “Descendants: The Rise of Red.” Both movies featured entirely new casts to more closely align with the younger generation that had not experienced the release of the original movies. The newer movies attempt to recreate a story similar to the original while still making entirely new plotlines. These rebrands seem to be more of a money grab to reel in the older, original audience, along with the younger generation who would actually enjoy the films rather than the authentic nostalgic feeling they are presented as.
“Camp Rock 3” may not follow the trend of disappointing older audiences, but there is a good chance it may end up like other rebranded franchises. This poses the question of whether there is a genuine desire to bring back hit classics, or if there is a need for engagement that can be counted on in the resurgence of older movies.
