More than 10 years after the first movie of the musical romantic comedy-drama film franchise “High School Musical” was released in theaters, Disney Channel has greenlit the production of the fourth movie, tentatively titled “High School Musical 4.”
The first movie of the “High School Musical” franchise became the most successful film that Disney Channel Original Movie (DCOM) ever produced and released in January 2006.
One year later, it produced a TV sequel entitled “High School Musical 2.” The following year, the second sequel, “High School Musical 3: Senior Year” was released to theaters.
As a result, “High School Musical” is the first and only DCOM film to have a theatrical sequel. When its soundtrack was released in 2006, it also came out as the best-selling album in the US for that year.
All the three films of the franchise had Zac Efron, who played Troy Bolton, and Vanessa Hudgens, who played Gabriella Montez, as the main stars in a plot which critics described as a modern adaptation of “Romeo and Juliet.”
The original “High School Musical” is a story about two high school juniors from rival cliques. Troy is the captain of the basketball team while Gabriella was a shy transfer student who was very good in math and science.
They try out for the lead parts in their new high school musical, and it caused the division in their school. Despite the other students’ attempt to thwart their dreams, Troy and Gabriella proved that no peer pressure and rivalry can stop them and they also inspired others not to stick to the status quo or be contented of being boxed.
May find it difficult to work together
It was also during the filming of the “High School Musical” trilogy that Zac Efron and Vanessa Hudgens became a real-life romantic couple.
The two broke off their relationship after four years of dating and Hudgens said that it was a mutual decision on their parts.
However, reports later came out to say that Hudgens decided to split because of Efron’s growing popularity with girls and female fans.
Vanessa did not want to be the jealous girlfriend in their relationship and thought it better to move on. She eventually found a new boyfriend in Austin Butler and they have been dating since 2011. Their relationship appears to be heading the level of serious as reports have it that Austin is just about ready to propose to Vanessa, details Headlines and Global News.
It was because of the past relationship of Efron and Hudgens that the producers are now finding it difficult to make them agree to come back and do “High School Musical 4.”
But since they are really part of the storyline, they must be given parts, if only to give fans the idea of continuity instead of having the “High School Musical 4” as a reboot.
Fans want them
Reports also have it that Austin Butler might feel insecure during the filming because his girlfriend and Efron was once a popular pair and their on-cam chemistry was so great that was why the original film became a trilogy.
Now, a fourth movie is in the works and require them to show up, though given their ages, it is also possible that they can just play supporting roles and not the lead stars the way they used to be.
Producers have also thought about the situation when they decided to cast Zac Efron and Vanessa Hudgens on “High School Musical 4.”
They also thought of the possibility that the two actors might find it difficult to work with each other and stay professional, notes Game & Guide.
It is not extra-ordinary to see exes behaving awkwardly when they reunite for a film project and the producers have decided to take a precaution. Apparently, Efron and Hudgens will not be going to star as coaches as previously reported.
Rumors now have it that the two might be starring as old flames but would not come face-to-face with each other in the movie.