Official announcement for HSM3

Disney issued finally a press release on 14 January 2008 announcing HSM3, the fact that all the cast will return (of course including Zac) and the release date, 24 October 2008.

From the Business Wire:

Disney’s “High School Musical” Stars Head to the Big Screen: Walt Disney Pictures Presents “High School Musical 3: Senior Year”

Kenny Ortega Set to Direct Feature Film Beginning in Spring 2008

LOS ANGELES–(BUSINESS WIRE)–All principal cast members from Disney’s “High School Musical” – Zac Efron, Vanessa Hudgens, Ashley Tisdale, Lucas Grabeel, Corbin Bleu and Monique Coleman – will be reunited on the big screen for Walt Disney Pictures’ upcoming feature film, “High School Musical 3: Senior Year,” it was announced today by Oren Aviv, president, Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures Production.

This highly anticipated feature film is set to begin production in spring 2008 with DGA Award-winning director and choreographer Kenny Ortega returning to direct from a screenplay by Peter Barsocchini, who wrote the scripts for the smash hit Disney Channel Original Movies “High School Musical” and “High School Musical 2.” The musical film’s producers are Bill Borden, Barry Rosenbush and Don Schain.

Commenting on the announcement, Aviv said, “We’re thrilled to have all of the talented cast members who helped to make ‘High School Musical’ such an incredible phenomenon joining us for this big screen motion picture event. They’ve developed a tremendous following with fans all over the world and ‘High School Musical 3: Senior Year’ takes these popular characters in some intriguing and entertaining new directions. Clearly, the music, spirit and personalities in these films have touched audiences in a very special way, and this latest musical adventure delivers lots of great new entertainment on an even grander scale. Kenny Ortega brings his enormous talents to this project and Peter Barsocchini has come up with a wonderfully inventive script that delivers plenty of delights and surprises.”

“High School Musical 3: Senior Year” finds high school seniors Troy and Gabriella facing the prospect of being separated from one another as they head off in different directions to college. Joined by the rest of the Wildcats, they stage an elaborate spring musical reflecting their experiences, hopes and fears about their future. With incredible new music and exciting dance numbers designed to take maximum advantage of the big screen, this motion picture extravaganza delivers plenty of high-energy entertainment from East High’s talented ensemble.

Rich Ross, president, Disney Channels Worldwide, added, “The success of this franchise has been nothing short of amazing. We’re thrilled with the connection fans have to the characters, and we’re very excited to see the High School Musical story continue on the big screen.”

Gary Marsh, president, entertainment, Disney Channels Worldwide, commented, “‘High School Musical 2’ set a milestone as the most-viewed cable telecast in history, and proved once again that there is a tremendous audience for movies that are inspiring, uplifting and entertaining. We’re so proud of our two Disney Channel Original Movies and are eager to extend the story of the Wildcats for the big screen.”

“High School Musical 2” premiered on Disney Channel U.S. in August 2007 and attracted the largest audience ever for any basic-cable telecast with an initial viewership of 18.6 million. It has now been seen by over 179 million total viewers around the world. Its soundtrack was the #2 album of 2007 in the U.S. achieving global sales of over 6.5 million.

The first movie, “High School Musical,” made its debut in January 2006 on Disney Channel U.S., and has now been seen by 250 million total viewers worldwide. It won two Emmy Awards, a DGA Award, the Television Critics Association Award for Outstanding Children’s Programming, an Imagen Award for Best Children’s Program, and a Humanitas Prize nomination, among others. The quadruple platinum soundtrack was the #1 album of 2006, received a Billboard Music Award for Soundtrack of the Year, and was nominated for an American Music Award in the Favorite Album (Pop/Rock) category. It was also the #1 TV movie on DVD for 2006 and became a best-selling series of junior novels and a popular consumer products franchise at mass retailers.

“High School Musical” themed shows have also proven to be popular at Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, Walt Disney World Resort in Florida and Disneyland Paris. In fall 2006, Disney Theatrical Productions adapted the teleplay for local school production, and it was projected that 2000 schools produced the stage version by the end of 2007. “High School Musical: The Concert,” featuring original cast from the Disney Channel movies, played to capacity crowds with engagements in over 40 cities last winter and a five country Latin American tour in spring. Last September, Disney and Feld Entertainment launched “Disney’s High School Musical: The Ice Tour,” with three companies scheduled to play more than 100 cities around the world in the first year. “Disney’s High School Musical On Tour!,” a live Broadway-style stage experience that captures the excitement and music of the films, is currently playing across the country and is produced by Disney Theatrical Productions.

Contacts

Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
Dave Wong, Vice President, National Publicity
818-560-7291

Other sites with the announcements:

• Variety: “Musical’ kids return for ‘Senior Year’
• The Hollywoodreporter: Gang’s all in for ‘HSM3’ movie