Selena Gomez Returns to Voice Mavis in “Hotel Transylvania 2” (Opens Sept 23)

Pop music and screen sensation Selena Gomez is back to breathe life again to Dracula’s 125-year-old daughter, Mavis, in Sony Pictures Animation’s comedy adventure Hotel Transylvania 2.

Mavis has always been fascinated by the human world – and that’s even more true now that she has married backpacker dude Johnny and become the parent of a four-and-a-half-year-old boy. Like every mom, she only wants what’s best for her child. While she’ll love Dennis the same no matter if he’s vampire or human, she knows that if he’s human, his life will be so much easier if he leaves the hotel for the human world.

“In the first film, Selena gave such a warm and open performance as Mavis, when the character was a girl finding her first love,” says producer Michelle Murdocca. “Now, the character is a married woman and a mom, and Selena’s warmth and emotion comes through again. She truly expresses the love of a mom for her child; it’s a vocal performance beyond her years.”

Gomez says that even though Mavis is a little older and now a mom, Mavis is the same sweet girl she was in the first film. “She’s adventurous and she has a lot of spark in her,” she says. “In the first film, she finally got a grip on what she wanted, and her dad was supportive. Now, in this movie, she’s 125 years old, married, with a child, so it’s a different phase of life for her, but she still has that same Mavis feel. She’s still Daddy’s girl. The added responsibilities are bringing out the best in her.”

“The thing I love about `Hotel Transylvania’ is Dracula brings everyone together under one roof,” adds Gomez. “The characters are an extended family, whether they’re Frankenstein, or the Wolfgang, and I think that’s sweet and endearing.”

Bringing people together is what the character of Dennis is all about, Gomez says. “He’s an adorable baby, and they’re trying to figure out if he is or isn’t a monster. The movie is about being okay with that, no matter which way it turns out. Drac has a full-on need to be in control of everything – that’s a protective quality that we love about him, but it can also be overbearing. Drac is trying to figure it out – he wants Dennis to feel like he’s part of the family, but maybe not doing it in the best way. The movie is about Drac learning to embrace those differences, to support and love him without trying to force things that he shouldn’t.”

Selena Gomez made her mark in entertainment by conquering film, music and television at an early age. On the big screen, she began making the transition from young actress to adulthood with such films as the much-talked-about Harmony Korine film “Spring Breakers.” The film premiered at the Venice Film Festival to critical claim while Gomez’s performance was singled out as a breakout.

Other film credits include “The Getaway” opposite Ethan Hawke, and “Monte Carlo.”

Gomez’s 2013 album Stars Dance debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard album chart and spawned the international hit “Come and Get It,” which earned the Grand Prairie, TX, native her first No. 1 single on the US Top 40 chart. Gomez, who has sold over 21 million singles worldwide, followed up the success of Stars Dance with a sold-out world tour. Her upcoming album “Revival” will be released October 9th via Interscope Records and features her biggest hit to date “Good For You.”

Opening across the Philippines on September 23, Hotel Transylvania 2 is distributed by Columbia Pictures, local office of Sony Pictures Releasing International.