Stars return for "High School Musical" feature

By Borys Kit

LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - The principal cast members of Disney Channel's two "High School Musical" movies will reunite for the first big-screen entry in the company's lucrative franchise.

Zac Efron, Vanessa Hudgens, Ashley Tisdale, Lucas Grabeel, Corbin Bleu and Monique Coleman are returning for "High School Musical 3: Senior Year," which is set to be released October 24.

"High School Musical 3" sees Troy (Efron) and Gabriella (Hudgens) facing possible separation as they head off in different directions to college. Musical numbers ensue.

Filming will begin in the spring. Kenny Ortega, who directed the TV movies, will return to the director's chair.

"High School Musical" became a massive hit after its January 2006 debut on the Disney Channel, spawning a best-selling soundtrack and theme shows. The sequel premiered in August and attracted the largest audience ever for any basic-cable telecast with an initial viewership of 18.6 million. Its soundtrack was the second-best-selling album of 2007.

The cast of unknowns became instant superstars with the tween and teen set, and with the actors demanding a bigger cut of the pie, there were questions whether Disney would be able to close certain deals for "HSM3."

Reuters/Hollywood Reporter