Disney Cast Joshua Bassett to Lead ‘High School Musical’ Reboot
Disney have found their male lead for the upcoming reboot of High School Musical. Deadline have confirmed that Joshua Bassett (Stuck in the Middle) will play Ricky in the series due to launch on the Disney streaming service next year.
Deadline also reveals that Disney are taking a more meta approach to the reboot. Instead of simply remaking the original movies, the series will be filmed in the style of a single camera documentary, following a group of high school students who are preparing to stage a production of High School Musical only to realize that as much drama happens behind the scenes as it does on stage. The ten episode series will feature both an original song and a new rendition of a song from the original films in every episode.
I have to admit, I do like the sound of the creative direction Disney are taking with this series. I think it’s a clever way to reinvent the franchise instead of remaking it. I’m also impressed with Bassett’s casting. When you’re doing a musical, you need to be able to not just sing, but to tell a story through the song. Whilst he’s just seventeen, Deadline notes that Basset has performed in over thirty musical theatre productions, and that’s a background that will serve him well in a series like this.
Bassett’s Ricky is said to be a cynical but charming high school junior who auditions for the school’s production of High School Musical in order to win back his ex-girlfriend, with Disney Channel President and Chief Creative Officer calling his interpretation of the character “funny, winning and, at the same time, uniquely vulnerable.”
The series, from executive producers Tim Federle, Oliver Goldstick, Bill Borden, and Barry Rosenbush, is due to launch on the new Disney streaming platform next year.
Chris is a lifelong fan of Disney, Star Wars and super heroes who can’t quite believe this golden age of movies and TV we’re living in. Having written blogs dedicated to Disney’s Aladdin musical and Star Wars Celebration, Chris is excited to be part of the MNN team.
