• by David Goetzl  @dgoetzl, April 9, 2008

The numbers keep adding up for "High School Musical." The Disney Channel's top executive said Tuesday that a fourth edition is currently being written, with the production expected to air as an original movie on the network.

Last summer's "High School Musical 2" garnered 18.6 million viewers, the most ever for any cable telecast. "High School Musical 3" will be a theatrical release this fall, with filming just beginning in Utah.

Rich Ross, president of Disney Channels worldwide, said that while he expects "High School Musical 4" to air on the network, it may still become a theatrical. Either way, he said he doesn't expect the cast to return intact.

"Are we going to have the whole cast back?" he said. "I don't believe so."

At least one approach that's been floated for a "High School Musical 4" would simply be to go with a largely new cast and employ a plot that takes place in an early year in high school, opening the possibility for more sequels with new stars.

Ross said Disney Channel has been careful not to commit to successive versions of the smash hit unless it believes it has another story to tell. Yet Disney has never been a company to pull in the reins on a successful franchise--especially one that has brought in billions in revenue, with brand extensions in consumer products, tours, albums and other arenas (including a reality series on ABC this summer).

Ross spoke about "HSM's" future at a Disney Channel upfront presentation, where the network also announced several new original movies coming to the channel over the next year. New series are also coming, but development has been held up by the writers' strike, said the network's entertainment head, Gary Marsh.

In June, the network will debut "Camp Rock," starring what it deems to be its next breakout star, 15-year-old Demi Lovato (along with the increasingly popular actors/recording artists the Jonas Brothers). Details were not released, but the network indicated that the film itself--or some iteration--will also air on ABC and ABC Family. The network also indicated Target has signed on as a sponsor; Disney Channel does not run ads, but sells sponsorship packages.

Lovato will also headline another Disney Channel movie this season, "Princess Protection Program." (Disney Channel said it is looking for a sponsor for the film as part of a package that could include a sweepstakes and Radio Disney extension.) Lovato's co-star will be Selena Gomez, who stars in the network's series "Wizards of Waverly Place." (Two other original movies are on tap.)

 

"Waverly Place" will be returning for a second season, as will "Hanna Montana" for third, and "Phineas and Ferb" for a second, part of Disney Channel's attempt to dip its toe into animation.