Rumors about plans for a supposed fourth High School Musical film have been circulating, and although nothing's been confirmed yet, it seems that it's the direction the wildly successful franchise is going.  The original cast has confirmed that they are graduating at the end of High School Musical 3: Senior Year, and it seems that the series is not intent on following their college lives.  However, a passing of the torch is in order, and with the entry of new characters in the film, which hits theaters today, that might just happen.

Justin Martin, Jemma McKenzie-Brown and Matt Prokop will be introduced in the third film, as some of the new batch of students at East High School, and the way things are going, they're bound to pick up where the original Wildcats—among them, Zac Efron, Vanessa Hudgens and Corbin Bleu—left off.  However, the series' freshmen are not intent on fitting in the newly-vacated roles.  “Our characters are so much unlike [the other cast members],” Justin said.  “Like, people always say, ‘Oh, you're the new Corbin' or the new Zac or the new Ashley.'  But our characters are so much unlike them.  I think it's more a breath of fresh air for High School Musical as the three new characters.”

However, they admitted that they haven't been told anything about a fourth HSM film.  “It would be great if the opportunity came along for a fourth one, but we haven't been told anything officially,” McKenzie-Brown said.  “We've heard the rumors probably that you've heard as well, but we had such a great time doing [the third film].  I would do it so many more times.  It was the best.”

Whether a fourth film comes or not, they're enjoying shooting the third.  “Our first day of actual filming, [director] Kenny [Ortega] calls ... and says, ‘Hey, head to your trailer, go to your wardrobe and head to set,'” Prokop revealed.  “And I go, ‘Cool! Can't wait to see what I'm wearing first day of filming.'  So I go in there, and there is a towel and a pair of flip-flops.”

The original cast members are more than confident that the newcomers will be able to take on the role they'll vacate. “We all graduate in this film,” Bleu said.  “And HSM relies on youthful energy, and it's great we get to pass on a torch to three new faces.  They're great [and] very eager.”  Monique Coleman also thinks the same way: “The HSM franchise will continue with or without us.  I think this movie has inspired kids to follow their dreams—these really cliché things—but it's sort of true.”


-Henrik Batallones, BuddyTV Staff Columnist
Source: MTV News
(Image courtesy of MTV News)