High School Musical: The Musical: The Series has cast multiple actors from the original movies to appear in season 4. Based on the popular film series, which began on Disney Channel back in 2006, the musical mockumentary takes place at East High and is centered around a young group of student actors staging the performances of High School Musical, Beauty and the Beast, and, most recently, Frozen. The show premiered on Disney+ in 2019 and stars Olivia Rodrigo, Joshua Bassett, Matt Cornett, Sofia Wylie, and more.
At this year's D23 Expo, it was revealed that HSMTMTS season 4 would focus on the production of High School Musical 3: Senior Year, but fans of the movies were excited to hear that it would also feature the filming of a reunion movie, with the students at East High getting to be extras. This news led to speculation concerning the potential involvement of franchise actors, many of whom have participated in reunion events in the past. Corbin Bleu appeared as himself, albeit a fictionalized version, in HSMTMTS season 3, directing the documentary surrounding the Frozen production. Lucas Gabreel was also featured in season 1, where he performed alongside Miss Jenn (Kate Reinders) in a dream sequence.
Via Deadline, it has now been confirmed that six actors from the original movies have joined HSMTMTS season 4. Bleu and Gabreel will return, along with Monique Coleman, Bart Johnson, Alyson Reed, and Kaycee Stroh. They portrayed Chad Danforth, Ryan Evans, Taylor McKessie, Jack Bolton, Ms. Darbus, and Martha Cox, respectively, in the High School Musical franchise. In addition to their castings, the series has added Kylie Cantrall, Matthew Sato, Caitlin Reilly, and Vasthy Mompoint in recurring roles.
Will Efron or Hudgens Return For HSMTMTS Season 4?
Tim Federle, the creator of HSMTMTS, previously revealed he was working on including several of the actors from the original movies in season 4. When it came to addressing the rumors of Zac Efron and Vanessa Hudgens returning though, he confirmed that as of now, they are untrue. Assumptions regarding a High School Musical 4 began circulating back in July, when Efron posted a photo outside of East High, following a video shared by Hudgens in the same location. Efron has also expressed interest in a reunion, noting in the past that he would come back to the franchise to work with his original team and co-stars.
Fans of High School Musical will certainly be waiting for any further news pertaining to Efron, Hudgens, and even Ashley Tisdale's involvement. They are likely still holding out hope for an official High School Musical 4 as well, featuring the entire cast reprising their roles, but for now, any reunion is worth getting excited about. With no current release date set for High School Musical: The Musical: The Series season 4, it will be interesting to see how big the parts of the confirmed cast members are, and if any other actors from the original movies will join.
Source: Deadline