HSM Scores Theatrical Spinoff

BURBANK, February 8: The Disney Channel mega hit High
School Musical will get a big-screen
treatment in 2008 with Haunted High School Musical, it was announced today by the Walt Disney Motion
Pictures Group.

High School Musical
has reached more than 100 million viewers worldwide via Disney Channel and
terrestrial broadcast slots. Further, 6.5 million DVD units have been sold to
date around the world, and there have been a host of ancillary products and
events, including a 42-date arena concert tour and a bestselling soundtrack.
Disney Theatrical has licensed the script for local school productions, and it
is anticipated that 2,000 schools will produce stage versions in the first year
alone. High School Musical 2,
reuniting the film’s original cast with director Kenny Ortega, will premiere on
Disney Channel this summer.

“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,” said Oren Aviv, the president of
production for the Walt Disney Motion Pictures Group. “We’re now ready to
transform High School Musical
into a memorable theatrical musical experience with Haunted High
School Musical.

Rich Ross, the president of 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.”

No additional details were provided on the upcoming
theatrical release.