'High School Musical 4' news: Zac Efron, Vanessa Hudgens and Ashley Tisdale to return?

Since "High School Musical 4" was greenlighted by Disney last month, fans are now aching to see what the film has in store for the viewers. It was confirmed that a new line-up of actors will be in the movie, but rumor has it that Zac Efron, Vanessa Hudgens and Ashley Tisdale will still be making an appearance.

In a press statement via Deadline, president and chief creative officer of Disney Channels Worldwide Gary Marsh announced the start of the film's casting search for new actors. "High School Musical is part of Disney Channel's DNA. It embodies all that we stand for," he said. "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," Marsh added.

Of the three "High School Musical" alums rumored to return to the film, Ashley Tisdale might be the one who is most likely to make a comeback. As noted by Parent Herald, the actress who portrayed Sharpay Evans in the franchise will possibly return because one of the new lead characters is Sharpay's cousin. However, no word yet from Disney if the rumors are indeed true. In an interview with Radar Online, Tisdale openly expressed that she does not want to play the bad girl anymore, saying, "She's [Sharpay] a lot of fun. It was great. But after 4 times I am ready to move on!"

Dan Berendsen along with Peter Barsocchini, who wrote all of the previous High School Musical movies, are the screenwriters of High School Musical 4. Meanwhile, Bill Borden and Barry Rosenbush return as the executive producers of the film. Jeffrey Hornaday is the film's director as well as choreographer. In charge of the casting are Jason La Padura, Natalie Hart and Kendra Patterson of the agency LaPadura/Hart/Patterson.