Summary
There’s a harsh reality about Zac Efron’sHigh School Musical 3ending, complicating a fourth movie. The third installment of theHigh School Musicalseries saw the coreHigh School Musicalcastmembers through their senior year at East High. Troy, Gabriella, Ryan, Sharpay, Chad, and Taylor embark on their final year of high school, asking themselves what comes next. In the first two installments of the franchise, the mood was lighter.High School Musicalexplores the students embracing what makes them unique, andHigh School Musical 2explores how the students interact over the dog days of summer.
After the curtain dropped at the end ofHigh School Musical 3,music would eventually return to the halls of East High inHigh School Musical: The Musical: The Series,but many of the original cast members did not. As such, Troy Bolton’s on-screen ending remains the final musical number of “High School Musical"at the end ofHigh School Musical 3.Still, some insight exists regarding what came next for Zac Efron’s character. The third installment’s ending establishes where each character is heading, as is customary at that stage, and Troy’s answer detersHigh School Musical 4.
All 6 Original High School Musical Actor Cameos In HSMTMTS Season 4
While not every original High School Musical actor was able to appear in High School Musical: The Musical: The Series season 4, six made cameos.
Troy Would Have Struggled To Decide A Career Path After Berkeley
At the end ofHigh School Musical 3,Troy announced that he would pursue basketballandtheater. The character suggested that attending the University of California Berkeley would allow him to engage in his passions simultaneously. Still, there are harsh realities that come with the premise. For one, going back toHigh School Musical,Troy’s hurdle with participating in both theater and basketball likely would have been more complicated than just how it affected his identity. While identity politics are a significant part of coming of age,Troy would have faced administrative hurdles that followed himout of high school.
Troy could have studied drama while playing college basketball, but what would happen upon entering the real world is unclear.
It’s likely that once Troy was at Berkeley, basketball, theater practice, and traveling to see Gabriella caused the character to experience burnout. Where high school is the time for a person to explore their future, the purpose of college is to hone in on an area of study and become an expert. As he advanced through college,the logistical hurdle of Troy pursuing a career in theater and sports would have been exhausting, with the character eventually having to choose. Troy could have studied drama while playing college basketball, but what would happen upon entering the real world is unclear.
Will High School Musical 4 Ever Actually Happen?
Zac Efron Could Return As A Father With High School-Aged Children
While it was natural to consider a fourth installment of theHigh School Musicalfranchise, it didn’t work first and foremost because, logistically, the students were in college. Still, the franchise could have continued the story despite theHigh School Musicalbranding, which ties the characters to high school but first and foremost to each other. IfHigh School Musical 4happened now, the series would occur at least 16 years later. The timing is poor for Zac Efron to return as the franchise star, butthere could be a path forHigh School Musical 4.
A subplot inHigh School Musical: The Musical: The Seriessees a metaHigh School Musical: 4filmed at East High School, returning some original cast members. Still, there is room for an official movie. TheHigh School Musical: 4metaplot revealed that, later in life, Troy and Gabrielle were in therapy but left the rest of their fate a mystery.
High School Musical 4could delve further into the realities of Troy’s dual passions,while reverting to the same narrative for its Disney audience: a person can be anything they want. The 16 years since the students went to college makes filmingHigh School Musical 4a few years from now perfect timing, as Troy and Gabriella could have a family, and their kids could be in high school.Troy could have pursued something entirely unrelated, like business, so that inHigh School Musical 4,Efron’s character could help his kids discover who they are while rediscovering himself.
InHigh School Musical 4,Zac Efron could portray Troy Bolton in his 30s, having betrayed his passion for drama and basketball for convenience, burnout, and money. Troy confronting his identity in midlife could reaffirm the narrative that a person can be anything they want – including at any stage of life. The most full-circle conclusion, encompassing the expanse of both dreams and reality, could see Troy return to the halls of East High to teach drama and coach basketball, passing on theHigh School Musicallegacy to his kids, who could continue withHigh School Musical5.
High School Musical
Cast
High School Musical is a Disney Channel Original Movie directed by Kenny Ortega. The film follows high school students Troy Bolton (Zac Efron) and Gabriella Montez (Vanessa Hudgens) as they navigate their burgeoning love for singing and performing. Despite peer pressure and social expectations, they audition for the school’s musical production, challenging the status quo and discovering their unique talents. The film also stars Ashley Tisdale and Lucas Grabeel.
