'High School Musical 4' release date, cast news: Taylor Swift to have lead role?

A still image from Disney's "High School Musical" Facebook/HighSchoolMusical

Details had been rife about the casting of "High School Musical 4," but speculations claim that a very important original cast member will return with a pop superstar.

According to speculations, Zac Efron will reprise his role as Troy Bolton in the fourth installment of the home movie franchise from Disney Channel. But instead of seeing Vanessa Hudgens return in the new film to portray the role of Troy's love interest, Gabriella Montez, Efron will be working alongside "Bad Blood" singer Taylor Swift.

Rumors claim that it would be difficult to convince former real-life couple Efron and Hudgens in the same project. This is reportedly why the original lead characters of Disney's "High School Musical" will no longer appear in the new film. But since there were reports speculating that Efron is currently dating Swift after the singer's break-up with Tom Hiddleston, several rumors believed that the Grammy Award-winning singer will be considered to portray the role of Troy's new girlfriend.

However, the camps of Disney and both celebrities remain silent about the validity of the said rumor.

The news about the development of "High School Musical 4" was first announced in March. According to a statement from Disney Channel President Gary Marsh that was reported by E! News, "High School Musical is part of Disney Channel's DNA. It embodies all that we stand for. As a way of continuing to embrace that heritage, we're excited to announce 'the start of something new' as we launch a search for a new class of East High Wildcats to star in a fourth installment of the 'High School Musical' franchise."

Casting for the new cast members for "High School Musical 4" is currently underway. The new movie will feature a new batch of Wildcats students as well as their rivals from the West High Knights. Although, the result of the casting news remains under wraps.

"High School Musical 4" is expected to be released sometime in 2018.

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