High School Musical 3 hasn’t even begun shooting, but the wheels are already in motion for a fourth installment. Disney Channel Worldwide president Rich Ross announced on Tuesday: “We are writing High School Musical 4.”
Why not, considering kids can’t seem to get enough of those singing and dancing teenagers. The first of the series was a hit TV movie that led to multiplatinum soundtracks, record and DVD sales, a sold-out concert tour, and millions of dollars in merchandise. High School Musical 2 was viewed by 18.6 million people, a record for cable television.
The franchise also launched Zac Efron, Ashley Tisdale and Vanessa Hudgens into superstardom. All three actors will return for the third film, as the senior class leading the way for newcomers.
Throngs of tweens are anxious to see their idols in the upcoming High School Musical 3, but what about number 4? Disney honcho Rich Ross said: “Are we going to have all the cast back? Probably not…Will we have some of them? I hope so.”
Zac Efron may not be among those returning. As he told MTV News: “It’s the third act. This is the legacy that we leave. … I think it’s going to be a good way to go out with a bang.”
Efron be turning 21 this fall, so hanging around high school kids could start to seem a bit pathetic. Although his boyish charms will help him get away with playing teenie-boppers for a little while longer, the actor has long graduated with his career. He’s already given a great performance in last year’s Hairspray, will star in 17 Again this summer, and is in talks to do the musical remake of Footloose.
So he’ll be doing more high school musicals, just maybe not that one again.