Movies

Director Almost Replaced Kirsten Storms in Zenon: Unthinkable Casting Swap!

BBG News

For people my age (millennials), there wasn’t much more thrilling than the debut of a fresh Disney Channel Original Movie back then. Often referred to as DCOMs, these titles (now available for streaming with a Disney+ subscription) are still cherished by those who watched them repeatedly as children. Among them, one stands out as particularly iconic: Zenon: Girl of the 21st Century, which gained such popularity it grew into a trilogy. However, actress Kristen Storms recently disclosed that the director initially wanted another actress for the role. Frankly, I can’t visualize anyone else embodying the character.

DCOMs (Disney Channel Original Movies) evoke memories of childhood, while Zenon boasts a vibrant design, memorable dialogue, and the unique musical style of Proto Zoa. Stormie, who played the iconic character in all three films, revealed to TV Insider that director Kenneth Johnson desired another well-known actress. In her own words:

“Kenneth Johnson wanted another recognizable actress for the role.

After navigating through six alternative candidates, there was a disagreement between the director and the production team regarding whom to select. The candidate in question was Allison Mack, whom the director strongly preferred, while the producers favored me instead.

It’s quite astonishing to learn that Stormie Lockart, who played Zenon so flawlessly in the series, wasn’t initially the director’s first pick for the role. And to top it off, Allison Mack from Smallville, known for her involvement with the NXIVM cult, was a close second choice. Incredulous!

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At one point, Mack was simply a child actress striving for a role alongside Storms on the show “Zenon”. It seems she came very close to landing the part, but ultimately, the film’s producers chose someone else. In the same interview, the actress from “Days of our Lives” spoke about how this audition experience fueled her acting, expressing:

Initially, I accepted the challenge despite being aware that I wasn’t the director’s initial pick. My nature is such that I feel driven to disprove such doubts about my abilities, which served as a powerful motivator throughout the process. Consequently, I gave it my all in my efforts.

It appears she held a remarkable viewpoint regarding this scenario, impressively so for a young actress at the time. Being passed over for the lead role in Zenon by the director only fueled her determination to excel, which she did spectacularly well by pouring all her effort into her on-screen performance. This drive proved effective, as she enchanted audiences with her captivating charm not just in that initial movie, but throughout her career as well.

Previously noted, Mack is predominantly recognized today due to her legal battles and ties with NXIVM. Fans might have had a different perception of the “Zenon” trilogy if Mack had been its lead actress instead of Storms. Unfortunately, that wasn’t how the Disney Channel Original Movie (DCOM) ultimately cast its characters.

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2025-05-08 21:03

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