From spawning the actors that are dominating our silver-screens to providing a soundtrack for our pre-pubescent lives, High School Musical undoubtedly shaped an entire generation. And so, to celebrate this iconic Disney Channel Original Movie, here are 8 things that you didn’t know about the High School Musical series.
1. Coach Bolton and Ms Darbus Were Meant To Have A Duet
Yep, we can’t believe it either. Apparently, the original script for the first film included a feud song between these two grown-ups, which we imagine would have been an extravagant dance number about sports vs. the arts. It sounds like a missed opportunity, TBH.
2. The Casting Was Originally Going To Be Completely Different
Believe it or not, but there was once a time when a casting agent was considering Ashley Tisdale for the role of Gabriella, Corbin Bleu for the role of Ryan and Matthew Underwood for the role of Troy. Now, that’s a Zoey101 crossover I do not need.
3. “Bet On It” Took 6 Days To Film
Considering the High Schoool Musical 2 film only took 24 days to film in total, it’s pretty shocking that this solo number took almost a week to complete. But, who are we to judge, it is, after all the most iconic performance in musical theatre history. And not just because it gave us this vine.
4. Fans Chose Elements Of The Second Movie
It’s no wonder that High School Musical 2 is the most successful Disney Channel Original Movie of all time, given fans had a say in the making of the film. If you logged onto Disney Channel’s website in the early months of 2007, you could have completed a questionnaire that put a “PB&J” sandwich, a Chad slogan tee and Miley Cyrus in the film. Crazy right.
5. Zac Efron Barely Sang In The First Movie
Want the cold, hard truth? He sang about 3 lines. The person that actually provides those vocals is Drew Seeley who actually filled in for Zac in High School Musical: The Concert. The main reason being that Zac’s voice was too low to hit those high notes and the result saw pitched down songs that fit Zac’s range for High School Musical 2 and High School Musical 3: Senior Year.
6. High School Musical 3, Was Meant To Be Haunted High School Musical
Believe me, we wish we were joking. We’re not sure who is responsible for this idea, but we’re thinking it was someone who watched Lucas Grabeel in Halloweentown High. Regardless, thank God this idea was scrapped. I would not have been ready for a Thriller cover.
7. High School Musical 4 Is Happening? Maybe?
Back in the day, there was a High School Musical 4 in the works that featured the characters introduced in Senior Year, but for one reason or another, the project was scrapped. That was, until a few years ago.
In 2017, news surfaced that Disney was going to be making a fourth instalment of the film, which shifted focus from basketball to soccer, with an entirely new cast. Now, it’s still a possibility given the very successful revamp that is High School Musical: The Musical: The Series. Will there be another film? Only time will tell…
8. It Wasn’t Actually Going To Be Called High School Musical
Fun fact: The movie wasn’t actually going to be called High School Musical. Turns out, the name was a placeholder which never got changed. Thank God that it didn’t, because we can’t imagine this series being called anything different.
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