Happy Birthday, Jemma!

Jemma McKenzie Brown turns 15 today. Congrats!

High School Musical 4 Will Likely Suck

So far, not ONE High School Musical star is returning for the fourth film - not even the three sophomores, Jemma McKenzie Brown, Matt Prokop, and Justin Martin, introduced in the third film.

Now, in addition to all that, Kenny Ortega will not direct the fourth film, now titled High School Musical 4: East Meets West (yeah, we know, stupid title). Instead, Jeffrey Hornaday, who is known best for choreographing Flashdance, A Chrous Line, and the world concert tours of Madonna and the Backstreet Boys, will take over the directing duties.

This movie is going to be so bad! At least it's being written by the same guy who wrote the first three. That's one good sign!

Two Down, One to Go

We all know Matt Prokop will not be in High School Musical 4, but neither will Jemma McKenzie Brown!

The actress says "I think it's been decided [Disney's] going for a whole new route with it which is a shame but I had a really good time doing the third one."

This is pretty much a guarentee that Justin Martin will not be in the fourth installment either. And it's just annoying. So much attention and screentime was given to these actors and one of High School Musical 3: Senior Year's subplots was the passing of the torch from the old cast to the new one. Now they're gone. Well, hopefully they're replacements will have more onscreen magic.

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8th Annual Poptastic Awards

Popstar has announced its nominees for the 8th Annual Poptastic Awards. Several High School Musical cast members got nominated.

Justin Martin and Matt Prokop both got nominated for "Poptastic Male Newcomer".
Jemma McKenzie Brown scored a nom for "Poptastic Female Newcomer".
Zanessa is going against Jashley (Justin and Ashley) for "Poptasic Celeb Couple".
Zac Efron is also up for "Poptastic All-Time Idol" and "Poptastic Star I'd Like To Meet".



In the movie category, Zac Efron and Corbin Bleu both received a nomination for "Poptastic Movie Actor".
Meanwhile, Vanessa Hudgens, Ashley Tisdale, and Monique Coleman all recieved nominations for "Poptastic Movie Actress".
High School Musical 3: Senior Year and Zac's 17 Again are both being nominated for "Poptastic Movie".



In the TV category, Ashley's Picture This is nominated for "Poptastic TV Movie".



For music, Corbin is being nominated for "Poptastic Male Singer".
The High School Musical 3: Senior Year soundtrack is being nominated for "Poptastic Album".



Finally, in fashion and beauty, Zac Efron is an obvious candidate for "Poptastic Male Hottie" and "Poptastic Male Style Idol", with Vanessa Hudgens receiving a nom in the "Poptastic Female Beauty" category.
Vanessa and Ashley are both in the running for "Poptastic Female Style Idol".



Make sure you go to popstaronline.com to cast your votes!

Pretty in Pink

Jemma McKenzie Brown turned up at the London premiere of 17 Again, supporting her High School Musical 3: Senior Year Zac Efron costar, no doubt.

Still no word of whether or not Jemma will reprise her role as Tiara in High School Musical 4.

Jemma's Just Like a Circus

Jemma and Peaches Circus dance x


Jemma McKenzie Brown and a friend (Peaches?) reenacts the dance for one our favorite songs, "Circus", by Britney Spears.

Unfortunately, she doesn't say whether or not she's also been kicked out of High School Musical 4, but we're hoping for an answer soon!

Breaking News: Matt Prokop Will Not Star in HSM4

Uh oh! This is bad news to you Matt Prokop fans. He has just taken to his MySpace blog to announce that he will not reprise his role as Jimmie in High School Musical 4.

Date: Mar 7, 2009 10:34 PM
Subject: HSM4
Body: not only will hsm4 not feature your loved wildcats: troy, gabriella, sharpay, ryan, chad, and taylor, but i will also not be apart of it. disney decided to go with a completely different story line. I’m so thankful to be apart of 3 before they decided to change everything. enjoy the new characters……. whoever they will be.

matt

Hmm, does this mean Jemma McKenzie Brown and Justin Martin won't star in it either? This is certainly fishy. It was only a few days ago Jemma and Matt were saying they were both signed on to the fourth movie, but things chance apparently.

This is upsetting. We liked the idea of introducing the next generation of the series' stars while the original cast was still in the picture. Now, if the newcomers are out too, that means we'll have to see a whole new cast, which as we've seen with Grease 2, does NOT work!

Even if Disney decided to take a new direction and introduce new characters, can't they still keep these three as supporting characters?

How do you feel about this? Turn over to our polls and express your opinion!

High School Musical 4 Auditions

Do you want to audition for High School Musical 4? Well, you better step on it! Here's all the information you need, just follow the link.

Here's the plot, according to the Acting Info blog:

High School Mucical 4 will revolve around "a classic love triangle" set against a new generation of East High Wildcats and their crosstown rivals, the West High Knights.

We think it has potential. West High hasn't really been featured.

The fourth movie will star Jemma McKenzie Brown and Matt Prokop. Although they haven't been officially confirmed, Justin Martin, Bart Johnson, and Alyson Reed are expected to return.

Jemma Shows Up to Marley and Me Premiere

Jemma McKenzie Brown appeared on the red carpet of the UK premiere of Marley & Me.

We're sorry. We like her, but does she just show up at whatever she wants?

High School Musical 4 - As Official As It Gets

Despite several official announcements, people are shocked to hear that High School Musical 4 is now in production.

The film will star the new cast members introduced in the third film (unnamed in the article, but we all know they're Matt Prokop, Jemma McKenzie Brown, and Justin Martin). They didn't seem they were fit for lead roles, but here's hoping they prove us wrong! "The High School Musical trilogy introduced a new generation to the celebrated genre of movie musicals,” said Gary Marsh, president, Entertainment, Disney Channels Worldwide. “In crafting this next iteration, we've challenged the entire creative team to raise the bar again -- and create something truly worthy of this extraordinary global phenomenon."

The film will enter production at the end of this year and premiere on Disney Channel in 2010 (being in theaters would be a gamble. Who knows how many fans will pay to see the fourth movie which doesn't have Zac or Vanessa in it?).

Luckily, the same writers and executive producers from the first three films have returned. So it can't be too bad!

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Pictures They Probably Didn't Want You To See

We know we said we wouldn't be posting this weekend, but someone sent us these pictures and we HAD to post them.

It looks like Vanessa Hudgens isn't the only High School Musical star who knows how to take a naughty picture. Here are Monique Coleman, Jemma McKenzie Brown, Oleysa Rulin, and Corbin Bleu exhibiting some un-role-model-like behavior.

Matt, Justin, and Jemma Sign on for 3 Possible Movies

Yowza!

In a recent interview with Just Jared Jr., Matt Prokop reveals that when he screen tested for the role of Jimmie "the Rocket" Zara, he signed on for three potential movies! That's High School Musicals 3 through 5!

We're betting Jemma McKenzie Brown and Justin Martin signed the same deal.

Read the full interview here!

She's Everywhere Now

Last night, High School Musical 4 star Jemma McKenzie Brown attended the London premiere of Confessions of a Shopaholic (we HAVE to see that!).

We aren't totally in love with what she's wearing. What do you think?

Jemma Confirms HSM4 and Chats About Fame

Well, this is just more confirmation to what we already know.

Jemma McKenzie Brown has confirmed that she will be the star of High School Musical 4, reprising her role as Tiara. We're hoping she means one of the stars, because a movie just about Tiara would be hell.

Jemma says the role in High School Musical 3: Senior Year has really helped her career. "Since doing the movie I've gone from getting auditions for radio plays to getting auditions for films," she explains. "It's like, 'We're considering Tom Cruise for the role of the father,' and I'm thinking, 'Oh God, this is crazy.'"

And apparently she's being compared to Miley Cyrus - which definitely isn't a compliment. "It's strange when people compare me to Miley, because she's such a massive star." She's also a massive slut. "It'd be amazing to be as successful as her but it's just nice to be classed in the same category."

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More DVD Exclusives

Here is a deleted scene from High School Musical 3: Senior Year featuring Ashley Tisdale and Jemma McKenzie Brown.



The scene will be on the DVD, out February 17!

The New Kids Get Noticed

Our new High School Musical-ers have been recognized by MTV as some of the rookies and breakouts that helped make 2008 the year of the teen. Here's what the article has to say about Jemma McKenzie Brown, Matt Prokop, and Justin Martin (they don't mention Matt, but we're sure it wasn't intentional):

Justin Martin and Jemma McKenzie-Brown are hoping to pick up where Zac, Vanessa, Corbin and Ashley left off. Describing themselves as a "breath of fresh air" to the franchise, and with rumors of a fourth "High School Musical" in the works, there's definitely the possibility that these two young'uns have what it takes to sing and dance their way into the hearts of teens everywhere.

Also mentioned were the Jonas Brothers, Demi Lovato, and Selena Gomez.

High School Musical 4 Enters Preproduction

High School Musical 4 is underway!

Disney Channel has begun casting for their original movie which stars Matt Prokop, Jemma McKenzie Brown, and Justin Martin. Interestingly enough, Bart Johnson returns as Coach Bolton. At least one cast member from the original three movies will return.

Filming will take place at East High School in Salt Lake City, Utah as well as in several locations of Ogden, Utah.

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New Poll

If you'd direct your attention to the right column, we have a new poll!

Can Jemma McKenzie Brown be the next Sharpay in High School Musical 4? Vote and tell us!

High School Musical 3: Senior Year Review

The following may contain SPOILERS.

As a fan, High School Musical 3: Senior Year was extremely satisfactory. It was fun, entertaining, and provided closure for the characters we've been following for three years. However, from a critical perspective, we noticed some problems; but, we're going to focus on the good first.

The movie opens with a very sweaty Zac Efron close-up - something that made all the girls in the theater squeal with delight! - as Troy is in the middle of a championship basketball game. Of course, the Wildcats win. The rest of the movie, is focused on the East High students focusing on their future while prom, graduation, and the spring musical are on the horizon.

Gabriella (Vanessa Hudgens) is keeping an early acceptance/orientation invitation to Stanford a secret from Troy, who is caught between persuing basketball and performing arts (he is being considered for a Julliard scholorship). Sharpay (Ashley Tisdale), Ryan (Lucas Grabeel), and Kelsi (Olesya Rulin) are also being considered for the scholarship. And leave it to Sharpay to do whatever it takes to earn the scholarship - including stealing center stage from Gabriella once again and having her brother court Kelsi in order to obtain her "Troy and Gabriella" music.

The film is full of energry. The bigger budget of the theatrical release is immediately noticed. The wardrobe is amazing, the choreography is unbelievable, and the songs are inspiring. "I Want It All" is a true Broadway musical. "Now or Never" and "High School Musical" are among the best songs from all three movies, with "Scream" and "Walk Away" easily becoming the best solos from the series.

Zac Efron has evolved so much since the first movie. "Scream" showcases his acting abilities, and he has proved to have learned the most professionally from this amazing experience. Ashley Tisdale, who was praised for her performance in High School Musical 2, is excellent once again, providing some comic relief. Vanessa Hudgens proves that her talent peaked with the second movie, as her performance is not as believable or moving as it was in the previous installment. Lucas Grabeel proves to still be the most talented of the cast, with the other castmembers doing the best they can with the material provided. The newcomers, Jemma McKenzie Brown, Matt Prokop, and Justin Martin are not welcomed with trumpets. Either they weren't able to showcase their talent properly, or they had no talent to start with.

In short, this movie surpasses High School Musical 2 and is equal, if not better than, High School Musical. It is a incredibly special way to say goodbye to these character, whom we might never see again. The ending scene, which involves the famous jumping poses following graduation, made us emotional! It was so sad to watch this movie come to such closure.

However, in a critic's eye, there are a few areas in which the film lacks. We can start with the script. High School Musical 3: Senior Year is not as well-written as the previous two films, despite all three being penned by Peter Barsocchini. The plot is too scattered, with several going on at once: Troy and Gabriella saying goodbye, Troy's future, Gabriella's future, prom, graduation, the spring musical, the competition for the Julliard scholarship, Sharpay plotting, Ryan courting Kelsi, Chad and Troy growing apart, Chad and Taylor advancing their relationship, and more! With so much going on, the movie has no strong central plot other than senior year in high school, which, to be fair, might be what Barsocchini intended to do.

However, the problems continue with underused characters and plot lines. Taylor (Monique Coleman) had little importance in this movie. After her part was drastically reduced in the second film, we had hoped she would have a bigger part in this film. That hope was not fulfilled. Even Sharpay seemed to have a smaller part! And her battle with Tiara, a new sophomore character, could have been so much better. However, despite her reduced role and the fact that she's the "villain" in all three movies, we still empathize for Sharpay, who is publically embarrassed when Jimmie (Prokop) forces her off stage during the musical and Tiara (McKenzie Brown) takes over her role. Corbin Bleu, whose side storyline of growing apart from Troy could have been expanded, would also seem underused if it weren't for "The Boys Are Back".

These problems, however, cannot compare to the movie's good aspects. Like we said, this could very well be the best High School Musical film! And now time to give it a score... In fact, to mark the end of a fantastic, entertaining, heartwarming film series, we'll score all three!

• High School Musical: 9.7
• High School Musical 2: 9.2
• High School Musical 3: 9.75
  

Did You Know...

Did you know that Disney originally wanted seven to eight new characters introduced in High School Musical 3: Senior Year? Wowza! This idea was scrapped because they realized that no character would be getting significant screen time.

Instead, they settled on Jemma McKenzie Brown, Matt Prokop, and Justin Martin, who are profiled in this USA Today article.