3 new characters added to “HSM3”

Disney released a press release today (24 March 2008), announcing the addition of 3 new characters to High School Musical 3: Senior Year. New are

• Matt Prokop as Jimmy “The Rocket” Soto, a Troy wanna-be
• Justin Martin as Donny Fox, looks up to Chad
• Jemma McKenzie-Brown as Tiara, a mini-Sharpay-in-training

Here is the full press release:

International Casting Search Finds Three Rising Young Talents to Play Sophomore “Wildcats” in Walt Disney Pictures’ Big Screen Feature “High School Musical 3: Senior Year”

LOS ANGELES–(BUSINESS WIRE)–An international casting search involving over 1000 teen actors across the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom has led to the casting of three rising young talents – Matt Prokop, Justin Martin, and Jemma McKenzie-Brown – as sophomore “Wildcats” in Walt Disney Pictures’ upcoming theatrical production of “High School Musical 3: Senior Year.”

The trio of new stars will join the original “High School Musical” cast – Zac Efron, Vanessa Hudgens, Ashley Tisdale, Lucas Grabeel, Corbin Bleu and Monique Coleman — in this all new feature film, which begins shooting later this month. Kenny Ortega, who helmed the first two “High School Musical” films for Disney Channel, will once again direct, in addition to adding new duties as executive producer. “High School Musical 3: Senior Year” will be produced by William Borden and Barry Rosenbush, Don Schain will serve as line producer.

Commenting on the announcement, Ortega said, “Peter Barsocchini’s exciting script for ‘High School Musical 3’ called for the addition of three sophomore characters, so we set out on a massive casting search across North America and England to find just the right young actors to play the parts. We think these talented performers will bring lots of humor, new twists, and musical fun to the film. Jemma was one of the many young actresses that we met in London, and she impressed us with her singing and dancing, in addition to being very exciting and effervescent. Matt has a terrific personality, and a great sense of comedy and fun. And Justin had a great presence and charisma, besides being a wonderful comedic actor who could really dance. I am confident that the three new actors joining our original cast will help to bring great musical thrills, surprises and a lot of fun to Senior Year and the halls of East High.”

Jemma McKenzie-Brown’s previous television credits include a supporting role in the BBC production of “The Amazing Mrs. Pritchard.” Matt Prokop has had featured film roles in “Marked,” “Walking Miracles,” “Somewhere Else” and “Four Square.” His television credits include “The Office,” “The O.C.,” and Disney Channel’s “Hannah Montana.” Justin Martin’s film credits include “Raisin in the Sun,” “The Vineyard,” and the upcoming “The Soloist.” He has also appeared in the television shows “Cold Case,” “Judging Amy,” “Malcolm in the Middle,” “The Bernie Mac Show,” among others. For the Broadway stage, Martin appeared as Young Simba in “The Lion King.”

“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. The feature film will be shot on location in Utah and set for release in theaters on October 24, 2008.

Disney’s “High School Musical” premiered in January 2006 on Disney Channel U.S. and posted the highest ever ratings for a Disney Channel Original Movie at the time. It went on to become a smash hit internationally, airing on 27 Disney Channels and free-to-air broadcasters worldwide. It has reached over 250 million viewers in over 20 languages across 100 countries including China. It was also the first TV movie to be offered on the iTunes Music Store. The “High School Musical” soundtrack was the #1 album of 2006 and was the year’s #1 TV movie on DVD. It also delivered licensed amateur and professional touring stage productions, a best-selling junior novel, a popular consumer products franchise at mass retailers, a themed show at Disneyland Parks and Resorts in Anaheim, Orlando and Paris, a sold-out 42 date arena concert tour in North America and Latin America, and a popular touring ice show around the world. Adding to its success, it won two Emmy Awards, a DGA Award, an Imagen Award and a Director’s Guild of America Award among other honors. It received a Billboard Music Award (Soundtrack of the Year) and was nominated for an American Music Award. Its critically acclaimed sequel, “High School Musical 2,” ranks as the #1 basic cable telecast of all time (18.6 million viewers for its August 17, 2007 premiere) and thus far has been seen by 187 million total viewers, in 24 languages, around the world. The “High School Musical 2” soundtrack is triple Platinum and its DVD release was the top-selling TV property on DVD for 2007.

A while ago there were 3 casting notices flying around the net but they surfaced on IMDb and didn’t have any credible source so they were widely ignored or treaded with suspicion. With exactly those roles filled now, I think they have been “real”. Here are the casting notes for the 3 characters as they were posted a while ago:

[Tiara] 14 -15, Female, Pretty, a performer. A classic triple threat — actor/singer/dancer. Good with comedy. Tiara is a transfer student to East High (could be from Brooklyn, or Texas or anywhere in between). Tiara is obsessed with Sharpay and is in many ways a mini version of her. Tiara starts out sweet and eager to help Sharpay as much as possible but soon turns into quite a diva herself a la Eve Harrington. She is very intelligent and wise beyond her years. LEAD. MUST HAVE A VERY STRONG SINGING VOICE. SUBMIT ALL RACES AND ETHNICITIES.

[Jimmie “The Rocket” Soto] 14-15, A sophomore at East High, A wiry kid with a lot of energy. He is likeable but socially awkward (think Michael Cera). Jimmy is a basketball player who envies Troy Bolton. Troy sees something in Jimmy that most people don’t. Jimmy has not grown into himself. He is like the lost puppy you want to take in and care for. Funny and good with comedy. LEAD. MUST BE ABLE TO SING AND HAVE SOME DANCE SKILLS. SUBMIT ALL RACES AND ETHNICITIES.

[Donny Fox] 14-15, A sophomore at East High and another basketball player. He is athletic. Donny is Jimmy’s partner in crime. Donny looks up to Chad. He is a contrast to Jimmy’s awkwardness. Good with comedy. Should have some dance skills. SHOULD HAVE SOME DANCE SKILLS. LEAD. SUBMIT ALL RACES AND ETHNICITIES.