While many fans are looking forward to see Zac Efron and Vanessa Hudgens together again for High School Musical, it appears that it is not going to happen as Disney Channel is now officially casting for the new Wildcats of High School Musical 4.
It was announced by the network that the TV movie franchise will be back with the new Wildcats and the West High Knights rivals. Casting search for the new film has started for five new leads, which include Erin, the only female soccer player, a bad boy dancer Derek, a jock/theater nerd who is the cousin of Sharpay and Ryan named Campell, Natalie the cheerleader and a fallen cheer squad princess named Tamara, E! Online wrote.
"High School Musical is part of Disney Channel's DNA," Disney Channel President Gary Marsh said, according to Entertainment Weekly. "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."
Although Efron and Hudgens will not be back for the show, reports reveal that former cast members Lucas Grabeel and Ashley Tishdale will be back as Ryan and Sharpay Evans, Teen Vogue reported.
Jeffrey Hornaday will be the director and choreographer of the movie while Dan Berendsen and Peter Barsocchini are still the screenwriters of High School Musical 4. Executive producers Bill Borden and Barry Rosenbush also returns for the show. Meanwhile, Jason La Padura, Natalie Hart and Kendra Patterson of LaPadura/Hart/Patterson will be the casting directors, CNN reported.
The first film of High School Musical debuted in 2006, which became one of Disney Channel's biggest hits. A second film was released in 2007 and another in 2008. Rumors about the fourth feature have been around since 2010.
