Disney Channel creatives are all in this together to find their new ensemble of East High Wildcats for their next “High School Musical” film.
Casting is underway for a fourth installment of Disney franchise. “High School Musical 4” will introduce new East High Wildcats and their cross-town school rivals, the West High Knights.
“ ‘High School Musical’ is part of Disney Channel’s DNA,” said Gary Marsh, president and chief creative officer, Disney Channels Worldwide, in a statement. “It embodies all that we stand for.”
DGA Award nominee Jeffrey Hornaday (Disney Channel’s “Teen Beach Movie”) is attached to direct and choreograph. Dan Berendsen (creator/executive producer of Freeform’s “Baby Daddy”), and Peter Barsocchini (writer of all three “High School Musical” movies) will write the latest project.
The original “High School Musical” premiered in 2006 to a record-breaking 7.7 million total viewers in the U.S.; it was at the time the highest ratings for any telecast ever on the Disney Channel. Its sequel “High School Musical 2” ranks as the highest rated basic cable telecast of all-time reaching 18.6 million viewers for the film’s 2007 premiere. The third installment, “High School Musical 3: Senior Year,” grossed more than $250 million worldwide in theaters.
“High School Musical” received two Emmy Awards, the Television Critics Association Award, an Imagen Award, a Billboard Music Award, an American Music Award, and a Producer’s Guild of America Award.
The original trilogy also propelled the careers of its cast, including Zac Efron, Vanessa Hudgens, and Ashley Tisdale.
For more information on open casting calls set to be scheduled this spring, check out www.disneychannel.com/opencall.
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