Disney’s High School Musical has been celebrated for the musical ride of the characters in the character traits as the narrative progressed. Many including several critics agreed to the fact that the musical had to offer an iconic soundtrack that enhanced the intensity of the film.
Zac Efron and Vanessa Hudgens-starrer film was almost going to have a different look altogether. Reportedly, Justin Timberlake and Britney Spears were originally planned to lead the movie, and it would have been quite different as fans now remember the popular musical.
Justin Timberlake And Britney Spears Almost Starred in High School Musical
The craze for Britney Spears and the rise of Justin Timberlake was on the horizon around the time of making High School Musical. The casting director had these two rising stars in mind and they almost sealed the deal for the movie.
Notably, the High School Musical was inspired by Grease 3. The plot of Grease 3 starring John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John inspired the narrative of the 2006 musical. Both movies were almost identical and Spears and Timberlake were supposed to play the children of Danny Zuko and Sandy Olsson from the 1978 movie.
Christina Aguilera, another siring star at the time, starred with Spears and Timberlake in Mickey Mouse and was approached by the producers to play the daughter of Betty Rizzo. Aguilera declined while Timberlake’s vocal group and boy band NSYNC members were set to play supporting roles. Travolta and Newton-John were also in the mix for a cameo in the movie. Regardless, Zac Efron and Vanessa Hudgens lifted the movie to a new height making it one of the most popular musicals.
High School Musical Popularity Put Zac Efron In Trouble Once
Following the movie’s release, it was one of the most talked about movies at the time. Fans were always after autographs from the stars while some would ask them to talk to friends of fans. But compared to what Efron faced, it was nothing. Efron once revealed that he had to struggle to escape from an unbearable hug from a fan.
“I was in as I was looking for a CD, I think. I was buying my LL Cool J’s new album or something like that and I was looking through the various CDs and stuff and I looked up and there was a really like a big girl who played football. She was been 13 or 14, really tall, taller than me and I looked at her eyes and she definitely you could see that she recognized me from movie. And all I know is 10 seconds later I was in like the biggest bear hug and she was kissing me. I had to fight to get away, as soon as I did, I just sort of, you know backed up slowly. I ran as fast as I ever run to my car. Yeah, that was one of the funnier experiences,” Zafron said (via Extra Butter: Celebrity Interviews & Movie Reviews)
Both Efron and Hudgens encountered a lot of fans around the time but Efron’s incident at the CD store was particularly fascinating. Of course, the actor found it funny later but he was struggling for an escape at the time.
High School Musical is available to stream on Disney Plus.
