Disney’s ‘Camp Rock 3’ will premiere on Disney Channel on August 13, followed by its Disney+ streaming debut on August 14, as the franchise enters a new era with a fresh generation of young performers. The film is executive produced by original stars Joe Jonas, Nick Jonas, Kevin Jonas and Demi Lovato.

Directed by Veronica Rodriguez from a script by Eydie Faye, the Disney Kids & Family production, according to a statement, sees Connect 3, played by the returning Jonas Brothers, head back to Camp Rock in search of an opening act for their next major tour.

The search brings aspiring musicians Sage (Liamani Segura), Fletch (Malachi Barton), Rosie (Lumi Pollack), Desi (Hudson Stone), Cliff (Casey Trotter), Callie (Brooklynn Pitts) and Madison (Ava Jean) to the camp, where they compete for the opportunity of a lifetime, the Disney statement added.

Their summer brings tested friendships, rivalries, budding romances and unexpected alliances.

For Segura and Barton, who lead the new cast, the film represents a significant step in their Disney careers. Barton, who has previously appeared in ‘Stuck in the Middle’, ‘Under Wraps’, ‘Under Wraps 2’, ‘The Villains of Valley View’ and ‘ZOMBIES 4: Dawn of the Vampires’, said the experience allowed him to move into a new role as the “big brother” on set.

Segura, whose Disney credits include ‘High School Musical: The Musical: The Series’ and ‘Descendants: Wicked Wonderland’, said the return of the franchise’s original stars provided the new cast with an opportunity to learn from those who built it.

She described their support and advice as a chance to have the torch passed to a new generation.

Music remains central to the film, which combines new original songs with returning favourites including ‘Brand New Day’, ‘Start the Party’, ‘Play My Music’ and ‘We Rock’.

Barton and Segura said performing the familiar songs created a party-like atmosphere on set, with the cast bringing the same enthusiasm to music they grew up with.

Beyond its music, ‘Camp Rock 3’ explores the emotional journeys of its young characters. Sage arrives determined to become a successful songwriter while dealing with a strained relationship with her brother and the pressure of high expectations. Over the course of the film, she learns that pursuing her dreams also means living in the moment.

Fletch, initially presented as the camp’s bad boy, gradually reveals a more vulnerable side as he confronts painful experiences from his past.

Barton said songwriting ultimately gives the character a way to express emotions he has struggled to articulate.

The new film arrives 18 years after the original ‘Camp Rock’ premiered. Disney said ‘Camp Rock’ (2008) and ‘Camp Rock 2: The Final Jam’ (2010) rank among the Top 10 Disney Channel Original Movies of all time and were the No. 1 cable movie premieres in their respective premiere years.