According to Variety, Disney has finally finished locking up the entire High School Musical cast for the third installment of the massively successful TV and DVD franchise that has not yet graced the silver screen.  The first two films have made Disney more money than one could ever dream of, and the third promises to be just as successful, if not more.

Unlike High School Musical and High School Musical 2, High School Musical 3: Senior Year will get a theatrical release.  Fortunately, all the big stars from the first two films will be back. Zac Efron, Vanessa Hudgens, Ashley Tisdale, Lucas Grabeel, Corbin Bleu, and Monique Coleman have now all been confirmed to be back.

The HSM3 project had been in the works as a theatrical release for the second TV movie attracted a record-breaking audience for the Disney Channel.  And while much of the cast was expected to return, there remained the question of whether Disney would offer up enough cash to bring back the movie’s biggest stars, who were put on the map as a result of the first two movies and began receiving offers for films at the major studios.  It appears that either the money was right, or they all had a sense of loyalty to Disney.

Directing HSM3 is Kenny Ortegan, from the script by Peter Barsocchini.  These two guys were around for the first two TV movies, so it’s good news that they’ll be back.  On the producing side is Bill Borden, Barry Rosenbush, and Don Schain.

High School Musical 3: Senior Year will revolve mostly around seniors Troy (Efron) and Gabriella (Hudgens) facing the prospect of being seperated from one another as they head off in different directions in college.  Joined by the rest of the Wildcats, they stage an elaborate spring musical reflecting their experiences, hopes and fears about their future.