Returning to the HSM Franchise 14 Years Later, According to Corbin Bleu, Was a 'Emotional Roller Coaster'

Updated on November 29, 2022 17:55 PM by Ava Sara

For Corbin Bleu, it's once a Wildcat, Always a Wildcat

The actor is returning to the beloved series for the third season of Disney+'s High School Musical: The Musical: The Series, over 14 years after the release of the final High School Musical movie. However, this time, he is playing himself rather than Chad Danforth.

Other cast members

Bleu, 33, opens up about his guest appearance in season 3 and working with a whole new set of talented Disney stars, including Olivia Rodrigo, Joshua Bassett, Sofia Wylie, and Matt Cornett.

How he felt after returning ?

Even though the pupils go for summer camp in the upcoming season, Bleu acknowledges that being on the show still felt "in many ways" like coming home.

"An emotional rollercoaster"

He claims, "I truly went on an emotional roller coaster." "I had a moment when I was simply watching everyone perform, and it just hit me that this season was about to finish. When I started to realise how much of an impact the original movies had, it hit me like a tonne of bricks. I wasn't anticipating it, but the fact that it even made it possible for this to happen and that they're carrying the torch in such a lovely way, as well as the fact that I got to be a part of it once more and once again experience the joy and enchantment of High School Musical, surprised me."

An Enhanced Version of himself

As a celebrity guest at Camp Shallow Lake, where the East High students have been chosen to perform one of the first performances of Frozen, Bleu plays a more enhanced version of himself this season.

Sense of realism

According to Bleu, he and show creator Tim Federle had numerous conversations about what a potential cameo on the show might entail. Bleu really likes the heightened version of "Corbin" that they came up with because it gives his character "a beautiful arc that does have some sense of realism."

"Onscreen Corbin is definitely not me"

He declares, "Onscreen Corbin is definitely not me. "He has become considerably more cynical, egotistical, and arrogant. But what's really admirable about him is how he's come to understand what these kids, theatre, and performances mean to him—and what they meant to him back then."

"Reflects real life"

He points out that this component in particular does reflect real life, explaining how he and his HSM co-stars attempted to "appreciate where you came from, but at the same time, try to distance where you're going" after the original franchise came to an end.

Nostalgic

Because former Hannah Montana actor Jason Earles, with whom Bleu co-wrote the Disney Channel series' pilot, also makes a cameo appearance, Season 3 is especially nostalgic.

His Performance

Of course, Bleu's appearance on HSMTMTS would be impossible without having him provide a performance. Bleu confirms that Wylie, 18, and he share a special musical number in the third season, as previously hinted in the trailer. Bleu "pushed" particularly hard for this scene.

"Reinvigorated"

Although Bleu acknowledges he doesn't frequently follow the HSM series again, he did do so after finishing work on HSMTMTS. The films felt very "vintage" and "nostalgic" looking back now, he adds, adding that his affection for it all was "reinvigorated." "It was upheld so well, even though it's a different era."