Haunted High School Musical - Coming to theaters in 2008

[azul017]

Yeah, you heard me correctly. There will be a High School Musical movie being released into theaters - Haunted High School Musical, actually. Disney actually confirms this to Coming Soon:

Haunted High School Musical to the Big Screen
Source: The Walt Disney Company
February 8, 2007

Disney's phenomenally successful "High School Musical" franchise will graduate to the big screen in 2008 with Haunted High School Musical, an all-new musical adventure, it was announced today by Oren Aviv, president of production for the Walt Disney Motion Pictures Group.

The original High School Musical, an Emmy Award-winning Disney Channel Original Movie that premiered in 2006, went on to reach over 100 million unique viewers worldwide. In the U.S., the movie's soundtrack was the #1 album of the year in 2006 (certified quadruple platinum by the RIAA) and is a top-seller in international territories. Additionally, 6.5 million DVD units have been sold to date around the world. The success of the movie led to a sold-out 42-date arena concert tour featuring cast members Ashley Tisdale, Vanessa Hudgens, Lucas Grabeel, Corbin Bleu, Monique Coleman, and special guest star Drew Seeley (Zac Efron was unavailable due to his movie production schedule). Additionally, Disney Theatrical has licensed the script for local school productions, and it is anticipated that 2000 schools will produce stage versions in the first year alone. ,b>High School Musical 2, reuniting the film's original cast with director Kenny Ortega, will premiere on Disney Channel this summer.

Commenting on the announcement, Aviv said, "Given the enormous universal appeal and phenomenal popularity of the 'High School Musical' franchise, we wanted to bring that same energy, excitement and entertainment to the big screen with a unique and original idea. We're now ready to transform 'High School Musical' into a memorable theatrical musical experience with 'Haunted High School Musical."

Rich Ross, president, Disney Channel Worldwide, added, "When people think 'big screen' for a TV movie, they generally don't think this big - but no plasma TV could contain our plans for 'High School Musical 3,' thanks to the Walt Disney Studios."

Gary Marsh, president, entertainment, Disney Channel Worldwide, commented, "'High School Musical' exploded off the TV screen and into the lives of kids and families everywhere. It skyrocketed to heights never before achieved by a TV movie, so it's only fitting that its next incarnation should be as a major motion picture. Now, millions of kids and families can 'get their heads in the game' one more time -- and continue to experience this cultural phenomenon."

High School Musical premiered on Disney Channel on January 20th, 2006, and went on to become the highest rated original movie up until that time. It won the Television Critics Association Award for Outstanding Children's Programming, and received two Emmy Awards (of its total 6 nominations), a DGA Award, and an Imagen Award for Best Children's Program, and a Humanitas Prize nomination. The soundtrack 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. The film even earned an entry in the Guinness World Record Book as the first TV movie to deliver nine concurrent singles on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

Internationally, High School Musical has aired on Disney Channels (26 worldwide) and free-to-air broadcasters, reaching over 100 countries. For the September 2006 premiere in India, the music was re-recorded in Hindi with Indian instrumentation and more rhythmic beats to achieve a "Bollywood" sound.

Adding to its success, High School Musical has spawned a #1 New York Times bestseller - "High School Musical - The Novel," which has sold over 1.2 million copies. High School Musical was also the first TV movie to be offered on the iTunes Music Store. High School Musical themed shows have also proven to be popular at the Disney Theme Parks and Resorts, including Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, Walt Disney World Resort in Florida, and an upcoming production at Disneyland Paris.

[singerguy04]

That's what I feel right now.

enough said

[Luke]

Those quotes seem too ridiculous to be real, but I guess the news checks out. They probably should wait to see if the Disney Channel sequel is as favorably-received as the original before planning bigger things. Something like <i>HSM</i> has "fad" written all over it.

[Escapay]

At first I hoped it was a hoax. Then I checked coming soon and found the article. I don't know whether to laugh or to cry. I guess both would make sense.



In other news, comingsoon.net also confirms what many have already known...

Disney sticks to 2-D

Disney Animation Returns to Hand-Drawn Projects
Source: Bloomberg
February 8, 2007


Walt Disney Co., which bought Pixar Animation Studio for $8.06 billion last year, will keep the staff separate from Disney Animation, where the company plans to continue making films with hand-drawn animation, reports Bloomberg.

Pixar is rewriting the technology it uses to make films and will share it with Disney Animation, Ed Catmull, president of Pixar and Disney Animation, said today at an investor meeting in Orlando, Florida.

The decision focuses Disney's animation unit, started by company founder Walt Disney in 1923, on its original mission to create hand-drawn art while leaving most computer-generated films to Pixar.

Escapay

[slave2moonlight]

Oh well. At least it will be haunted. That might get me to watch it, ha.

[Escapay]

Oh well. At least it will be haunted. That might get me to watch it, ha.

I can imagine it now. Sharpay as some kind of mistress of the dark, and Ryan as queen of the night. And it's up to Troy the Talent Slayer to stop them.

All-New Remixed Songs:
"What I've Been Killing For"
"We're All Entombed Forever"
"Getcha Head In The Guillotine"

And Wonderful Instant Classics:
"Ryan, Your Hat Is Glowing!"
"Let's Vanquish Some Talent"
"Grim Grinning Gabrielle"

Escapay

[numba1lostboy]

Escapay, that was. Awesome.




hehe...Ryan is a queen...

[Super Aurora]

OH DEAR GOD .....NO......

[azul017]

Those quotes seem too ridiculous to be real, but I guess the news checks out. They probably should wait to see if the Disney Channel sequel is as favorably-received as the original before planning bigger things. Something like <i>HSM</i> has "fad" written all over it.

I'm not playing a joke, honestly. It's on Coming Soon, a reliable website that reports entertainment news....

[HappyPug]

Oh dear.

I prefer its alternate title:

High School Musical III : The Search For More Money.

[brownie]

"Getcha Head In The Guillotine"

...I will probably see this when it's in theaters.

[disneyboy20022]

I own the 2-disc version Disney's Highschool Musical and honestly I have a confession... I have never watched and I bought the movie 2 months ago..... Perhaps I should give it a chance but this is sounding oddly like they are replacing those Halloween Town movies and sequels and spin offs etc....

I think I might be the only one who would much more prefer Aristocats II to become a relality and heck while I am talking So Insanely let's put Aristocats II in theaters instead of Haunted High School Musical.....

[Super Aurora]

Oh dear.

I prefer its alternate title:

High School Musical III : The Search For More Money.

No that sequel goes to Spaceballs. Remember Yogurt saying that?

[lord-of-sith]

"We're All Entombed Forever"

Escapay

Oh my God Escapay! That is priceless! It's a good thing that you're the runner of the WIST, because if not then you'd be hogging it from everyone else constantly!

[Timon/Pumbaa fan]

So, will Michael Jackson make a cameo appearance as a substitute teacher?

He can sing "Thriller", and unlike in the 80's, they won't need to put any makeup on to make him look scary.

[Prudence]

What were they on when they thought of this?

[numba1lostboy]

this is sounding oddly like they are replacing those Halloween Town movies and sequels and spin offs etc...

No! I like the Halloweentown movies! They should keep those going. Sure, they're a bit cheesy, but what DCOM isn't? And at Halloween, we're all prone to a little shallow fantasy.

But I will see this in theatres.


PS Prudence, LOVE the avatar. Anneliese is the best thing on Disney Channel right now. Shame That's So Raven is ending, though...where will she go?

[slave2moonlight]

I'm lovin' YOUR Avatar, numba1lostboy!

[AwallaceUNC]

So am I the only one really excited for this? I'll be there opening night.

-Aaron

[NarniaDis]

No I agree with Aaron - will be there on opening day....