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Merit Leighton set to replace Vanessa Hudgens in 'High School Musical 4': Reports

| May 08, 2016 12:10 PM EDT

High School Musical is a 2006 American teen/romantic comedy musical television film and the first installment in the High School Musical trilogy.

There is a rumor going around that Merit Leighton is in negotiations to play Gabriella Montez, a role previously played by Vanessa Hudgens, in the upcoming "High School Musical 4" film.

Over the years, speculations are rife claiming that a sequel movie to the mega-hit musical franchise is possible. On March 1, fans of the franchise rejoiced when it was announced that the next installment in the franchise was being developed.

"'High School Musical' is part of Disney Channel's DNA. It embodies all that we stand for," Disney's President and Chief Creative Officer, Gary Marsh, said in a press released statement. "As a way of continuing to embrace that heritage, we're excited to announce 'the start of something new'."

Along with the announcement is a casting call for actors to audition as new characters for the East High Wildcats and the West High Knights. As of recently, there are new reports saying that Leighton will now be playing the iconic role and even asserted that the show's original cast will reportedly reunite again.

It has been strongly speculated that Hudgens does not seem to be interested in the idea and that she does not want to get tangled with ex-beau, Zac Efron. The co-stars began dating in 2005 while making the first installment in the franchise, but shortly ended their relationship in late 2010.

As of the moment, Hudgens' has yet to comment on the rumors. Meanwhile, there has been no news about filming updates, though it has been announced previously that filmmaker Jeffrey Hornaday will helm the project with a script penned by Peter Barsocchini and Dan Berendensen.

The next installment will carry the official title of "High School Musical 4: Wild and Knights." It will focus on a new class of Wildcats - an ambitious soccer player, Erin; a dancer whom is Erin's love interest, Derek; the football captain and theater star who wants to date Erin, Campbell (Sharpay and Ryan Evans' cousin); a cheerleader, Tamara; and Erin's best friend and a bona fide member of the cheering squad, Nathalie, Just Jared reported.

It is being speculated that Tamara will be the antagonist in the forthcoming film, calling her a fallen queen bee, stating that she would reportedly do what it takes to regain her high social status and reclaim all the attention for herself.

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