Rishabh Borde
Even if you haven’t seen the movies, you’ve probably heard about ‘High School Musical’. What initially started out as a simple Disney Channel Original Movie with a cast of relatively unknown young actors later blossomed into a multi-million dollar franchise and a veritable pop-culture phenomenon that also launched the Hollywood careers of lead actors Zac Efron and Vanessa Hudgens. The last movie in the franchise came out over a decade ago in 2008 but fans have been demanding a sequel ever since. Is there even going to be a ‘High School Musical 4’? Read on to find out everything we know.
High School Musical 4 Plot: What Is It About?
A ‘High School Musical 4’ movie was officially announced by Disney channel a while ago, but so far we already know a few key things about the new sequel. The big news is that the film will feature an entirely new primary cast with a new storyline. At this point in time, none of the original main cast has been signed on for the sequel, and the outlook for such a thing happening isn’t all that positive either. Ashley Tisdale, who plays the role of Sharpay in the original trilogy, has even gone on to confirm that she wouldn’t be open to reprising her role due to doubts over her being able to the character justice after all this time.
Of course, there is always a chance that one of the other cast members could return in the new movie as a cameo. Who knows, we might just see Troy Bolton or Gabriella Montez return to East High, this time as parents or maybe even teachers. One character who could be returning is Coach Bolton, coach of the varsity basketball team and Troy’s dad. Actor Bart Johnson, who has portrayed the character in the past, has spoken of his desire to reprise the role several times over the years.
‘High School Musical 4’ reportedly follows a new gang of students attending the familiar East High School – Erin, Derek, Campbell, Nathalie, and Tamara. Erin is a prodigious soccer player good enough to be the only girl on the boys’ soccer team. She finds herself struggling with her growing feelings for Derek, the school’s resident bad boy. Derek himself is a bit misunderstood, being a good person from the inside as well as a fine dancer and soccer player. Campbell is the school soccer team’s hotshot captain and star theatre student. He sets his sights on Erin but isn’t too chuffed when he finds out that she has fallen for Derek. Oh, and Campbell also happens to be the cousin of Sharpay Evans and her brother Ryan from the original movies.
Nathalie is a happy go lucky cheerleader with a big heart and boundless enthusiasm. Nathalie is Erin’s best friend and fiercely loyal to her. Lastly, Tamara is East High’s ex popular girl; a fallen queen bee desperately trying to regain her position at the top of the high school social hierarchy.
Clearly, ‘High School Musical 4’ looks to be trying to emulate the formula that made the original movies so successful, only this time with soccer instead of basketball. However, much of the reason behind the success of the original movies was down to the likeability of the characters in addition to the delightfully catchy musical numbers. If the new movie has to have any hope of recreating the phenomenon that was the original series, it needs to deliver in the music department.
High School Musical 4 Cast and Crew: Who Is Behind the Movie?
The original ‘High School Musical’ trilogy is directed by American filmmaker Kenny Ortega, best known for films like ‘Newsies’ and ‘Hocus Pocus’. The music was given by American music composer David Lawrence, who also composed the music for ‘American Pie 2’ and the TV series ‘Jericho’. Ortega may return to direct the sequel, but that has not been confirmed yet.
The primary cast of the original trilogy consists of Zac Efron as Troy Bolton, Vanessa Hudgens as Gabriella Montez, Ashley Tisdale as Sharpay Evans, Lucas Grabeel as her brother Ryan Evans, Corbin Bleu as Tory’s best friend Chad Danforth and Bart Johnson as Troy’s dad Coach Bolton. Currently, only Bart Johnson is expected to reprise his role in the upcoming ‘High School Musical 4’.
High School Musical 4 Release Date: When Will It Premiere?
There is no official release date for ‘High School Musical 4’ at this point in time. The earliest I would expect the movie to release is the second half of 2021.
High School Musical Series Retrospective:
The original ‘High School Musical’ came out in 2006 and was an instant smash hit. The film was a teenage romantic comedy featuring a fresh-faced Zac Efron as high school basketball star Troy Bolton and Vanessa Hudgens as Gabriella Montez, a new transfer to East High School. Troy and Gabriella meet at a New Year’s party and click instantly. However, the two of them come from vastly different worlds; Troy is the popular jock and captain of the varsity basketball team, whereas Gabriella is a shy introvert with a brilliant mind.
During an accidental audition for the school musical, the two of them realize their mutual love for musical theatre. This angers the popular girl Sharpay Evans (played by Ashley Tisdale), who also especially despises Gabriella due to her closeness with Troy. The two star-crossed lovers must overcome several hurdles in their way, including disgruntled friends, jealous competitors, and high school social mores in order to realize their true passion.
‘High School Musical’ was a tremendous hit for Disney, drawing in over 7.7 million during its premiere and setting Zac Efron on his way to superstardom.
A second movie aptly titled ‘High School Musical 2’ released next year in 2007, and featured the gang spending their summer working at Sharpay and Ryan’s country club while Troy and Gabriella struggle with the growing distance between them and Sharpay schemes in the background.
The final movie in the original trilogy called ‘High School Musical 3: Senior Year’ came out a year later in 2008. The gang is in the final year of high school and has to come to terms with the idea of going to college and treading on their own path in life. Sharpay begins planning one last musical show before she signs off.
High School Musical 4 Trailer:
While we wait for more news about ‘High School Musical 4’, you can watch the trailer for ‘High School Musical 3: Senior Year’ right here.
Read More: Best Musicals on Netflix
