New DCOM Preview: Starstruck

So it looks like Sterling Knight is getting his own DCOM. Apparently Disney had originally wanted Cody Linley for the role, but he had a scheduling conflict so they decided to go with Sterling instead.

Disney press release follows:

PRODUCTION HAS BEGUN ON NEW MUSIC-FILLED DISNEY CHANNEL ORIGINAL MOVIE “STARSTRUCK,” STARRING STERLING KNIGHT AND DANIELLE CAMPBELL

Production has begun on “Starstruck,” a music-filled Disney Channel Original Movie starring Sterling Knight (“Sonny With A Chance”) and introducing Danielle Campbell. Slated to premiere in 2010, the movie is filming in and around Los Angeles at landmark locations including Hollywood Boulevard, Sunset Boulevard, the Hollywood Sign, Grauman’s Chinese Theater and the Venice Boardwalk.

The story follows Jessica Olson (played by Campbell), a down-to-earth girl from the Midwest who collides (literally) with Hollywood’s teen heartthrob, pop star Christopher Wilder (played by Knight). They wind up on a love-struck adventure in Southern California, but their bond is tested when she returns home and he publicly denies their relationship.

Also starring are Brandon Mychal Smith (“Sonny With A Chance”) as Stubby, Christopher’s childhood best friend; Maggie Castle (“The Time Traveler’s Wife”) as Sara Olson, Jessica’s older, star struck sister; and Dan O’Connor (“Malcolm in the Middle”) and Beth Littleford (Disney XD’s upcoming “I’m in the Band”, “Rules of Engagement”) as Dean and Barbara Olson, Jessica and Sara’s parents.

Knight and Smith have become familiar faces to Disney Channel fans since the debut of their hit series “Sonny With A Chance.” Since its February 2009 premiere, “Sonny With A Chance” is TV’s No. 1 program in its Sunday 8:00 p.m. time period in Kids 6-11 and Tweens 9-14, and ranks among TV’s Top 5 programs overall in the target demos.

“Starstruck” is part of the blockbuster Disney Channel Original Movie franchise which has delivered cable television’s #1 and #2 scripted telecasts of all time in Total Viewers and cable’s #1 and #2 telecast ever in Kids 6-11 and Tweens 9-14 with “High School Musical 2” and “Wizards of Waverly Place The Movie.”

The movie’s soundtrack will feature songs written by songwriters Mitch Allan, Jessi Alexander, Adam Anders, Aris Aronchitis, Peer Astrom, Ali Dee, Andy Dodd, Nikki Hassman, Jeannie Lurie, Niclas Molinder, Chen Neeman, Joacim Persson and Adam Watts.

“Starstruck” is directed by Michael Grossman (“90210,” “Grey’s Anatomy”); executive-produced by Doug Sloan (Disney Channel’s “Princess Protection Program,” “Minutemen”); co-executive-produced by Jeffrey Thal (“Slaves to the Underground”) and Jon Brown (“The Poseidon Adventure,” “The Tie That Binds”); choreographed by Zach Woodlee (“Glee,” “Hairspray”) and written by Barbara E. Johns and WGA-Award winning Annie DeYoung (Disney Channel’s “Princess Protection Program,” “Johnny Kapahala: Back on Board”).