Disney Channels Worldwide entertainment president Gary Marsh, announced that the High School Musical movie franchise is expected to return to Disney Channel sometime in 2009 or 2010, after HS3 debuts in theaters this October, according to Marsh.

He said some of the stars from HSM3 likely would not return to reprise their roles in the fourth installment, but that the telefilm will feature several new characters that will appear in the upcoming theatrical.

"The franchise may be bigger than the stars itself, so if one two or none of the stars come back the franchise is still compelling," he said.