By Kelley Forrester - 'Larry King Now'
Disney announced in a press release on Tuesday that 'High School Musical 4' is finally happening and the nationwide casting search is underway.
The fourth installment of the much loved High School Musical franchise is set to star an all new class of East High Wildcats and the school's rivals - the West High Knights.
The president and chief creative officer of Disney Channels Worldwide, Gary Marsh said, "'High School Musical' is part of Disney Channel's DNA. It embodies all that we stand for. As a way of continuing to embrace that heritage, we're excited to announce 'the start of something new' - as we launch a search for a new class of East High Wildcats to star in a fourth installment of the High School Musical franchise."
Dan Berendsen (Disney's 'Hannah Montana: The Movie') will join Peter Barsocchini, the writer of all three 'High School Musical' movies, in writing the screenplay for 'High School Musical 4.' Jeffrey Hornaday (Disney's 'Teen Beach Movie' and 'Teen Beach 2') is fixed to choreograph and direct the movie.
Although the stars of the first three movies, Zac Efron, Vanessa Hudgens, Ashley Tisdale and friends, will not be reprising their roles, their legacy lives on. The Disney Channel Original Movie, 'High School Musical,' premiered in January 2006 and reached 7.7 million viewers in the United States. The critically acclaimed sequel is still the number 1 basic cable telecast of all time, reaching 18.6 million viewers during its August 2007 premiere. 'High School Musical 3' debuted in theaters in October 2008 and grossed more than $250 million at the box office.
If you think you can be the next Troy or Gabriella, get'cha head in the game and don't miss Disney's open casting call this spring.
Star of the 'High School Musical' movies, Vanessa Hudgens has outgrown East High and she tells Larry King why - watch it now.
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