By Ernio Hernandez
15 Jan 2008

The full principal cast of Disney's "High School Musical" and its sequel — including Zac Efron, Vanessa Hudgens, Ashley Tisdale, Lucas Grabeel, Corbin Bleu and Monique Coleman — have signed on for the upcoming big screen "High School Musical 3: Senior Year."

As previously reported, Kenny Ortega will return to direct and choreograph the film penned by Peter Barsocchini. Ortega and Barsocchini teamed on the first two movies, presented on The Disney Channel. Production is slated to begin in the spring, according to a Walt Disney Pictures announcement, for an Oct. 24 scheduled release.

"High School Musical 3: Senior Year," according to a Disney synopsis, "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."

Original stars Zac Efron (as Troy), Vanessa Hudgens (Gabriella), Ashley Tisdale (Sharpay), Lucas Grabeel (Ryan), Corbin Bleu (Chad) and Monique Coleman (Taylor) will all return.

"High School Musical" has proven a popular commodity for the company, spawning a number of DVD versions, soundtracks, a concert tour, an ice show, a stage production and national tour, among other products.

Visit the "High School Musical 2" website at disneychannel.com/highschoolmusical2 for more information.