AceShowbiz -

"High School Musical" is such a profitable franchise that Disney Channel is not willing to let it go with the third installment. The cable network has ordered another sequel to the original that propelled Zac Efron, Ashley Tisdale and Vanessa Hudgens to fame ten years ago.

Aimed for TV release, "High School Musical 4" begins nationwide casting on Tuesday, March 1. "Teen Beach Movie" helmer and SGA Award nominee Jeffery Hornaday will direct and choreograph the movie. "Teen Beach Movie 2" scribe Dan Berendsen will work on the script with Peter Barsocchini who wrote all the "HSM" movies. Bill Borden and Barry Rosenbush return as the executive producers.

" 'High School Musical' is part of Disney Channel's DNA. It embodies all that we stand for. As a way of continuing to embrace that heritage, we're excited to announce 'the start of something new' - as we launch a search for a new class of East High Wildcats to star in a fourth installment of the 'High School Musical' franchise," Gary Marsh, president and chief creative officer, Disney Channels Worldwide, said in a statement.

The first "HSM" delivered 7.7 million total viewers in the U.S. in January 2006, the highest ratings for any telecast ever on Disney Channel at that time. The second movie was No. 1 basic cable telecast of all time after racking up 18.6 million viewers in August 2007. The third movie opened in theaters and grossed over $250 million at the worldwide box office in October 2008. The franchise spawned touring stage productions, a bestselling junior novel, themed show at Disneyland Parks and Resorts, merchandise and arena concert tours among others.