Disney Casts Lead For New Super-Meta 'High School Musical: The Musical' Series

Disney Casts Lead For New Super-Meta 'High School Musical: The Musical' Series
(Disney)

Disney just cast the male lead for their upcoming meta-musical: High School Musical: The Musical, and it's something to sing about.

Teen Vogueconfirmed a Disney press release announcing Joshua Bassett as the male heartthrob, similar to the role Zac Effron made famous as Troy Bolton.



Bassett isn't exactly a newbie in the business. He has performed in over 30 theatrical shows on stage and was a recurring character in the third season of yet another Disney TV series, Stuck in the Middle, in the role of Aiden.

He also nabbed a guest-starring role in the upcoming crime anthology Dirty John for Bravo, according to Deadline.


The 17-year-old expressed his enthusiasm for winning the role of "Ricky" by exclaiming a familiar catchphrase, "Go Wildcats!" in a statement.

"As someone whose childhood was shaped by the cultural phenomenon that is High School Musical, I am thrilled to have the opportunity to continue to tell this story."


In the musical-within-a-musical TV series, Ricky attempts to win back his ex-girlfriend by auditioning for the leading role opposite her in their high school's production of High School Musical.



Just so fans of the original aren't confused, this is not a reboot.



Production will film in Salt Lake City, Utah, employing a single-camera documentary style format with ten episodes.

Gary Marsh, President and Chief Creative Officer, Disney Channels Worldwide couldn't be more ecstatic for Bassett.

"Joshua's interpretation of the Ricky character was brilliant – funny, winning and, at the same time, uniquely vulnerable. The audience is going to love watching this charismatic young actor put his stamp on this next chapter of the High School Musical franchise."


In 2006, Zac Efron was a relative unknown at the time he starred in High School Musical, but the smash success of that TV movie launched his career to the stratosphere.


Bassett could enjoy a similar level of success, and he's got the dreamy looks teens will go googly-eyed for.



High School Musical: The Musical the series will be featured on Disney's upcoming direct-to-consumer streaming service, which is scheduled for a 2019 launch.

Congratulations, Joshua! We'll be seeing you in school next year.

H/T - Disney, Twitter, Teenvogue, Deadline

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