High School Musical Dad Claims 1 Star Refuses to Discuss Film Anymore

Bart Johnson, best known as Troy Bolton’s dad in the High School Musical franchise, has claimed that not every costar is game to recap the films.

“EVERY cast member has been invited to be on the podcast,” Johnson, 54, wrote via X on Thursday, December 4, referring to his “Get Your Head In The Game” recap series. “Almost got everyone!!”

According to Johnson, three of his former costars are currently “trying hard” to fit a podcast appearance into their respective busy schedules.

“Only ONE cast member said, ‘No. I’ve talked about this movie for 20 years and I’m done talking about it,’” Johnson claimed, without naming the actor in question. “It wasn’t Zac [Efron].”

High School Musical, directed by Kenny Ortega, aired on Disney Channel in 2006 following a basketball star (Troy, played by Efron) as he found a new passion for singing and performing the school musical. The film, which spawned three sequel films and a spin-off series, also starred Vanessa Hudgens, Ashley Tisdale, Lucas Grabeel, Corbin Bleu and Monique Coleman.

Johnson later claimed in a separate X post that he is currently in talks with Efron, 38, about coming on his podcast.

“Yes he’s trying,” Johnson wrote. “But his schedule [is] BUSY.”

While it’s not known which HSM favorite allegedly refused to appear on Johnson’s “Get Your Head In The Game” show, many cast and crew members have already filmed episodes. Johnson has spoken with Hudgens, 36, Grabeel, 41, Drew Seeley, Kaycee Stroh, Chucky Klapow, Alyson Reed, Robert Curtis Brown, Jemma McKenzie-Brown, as well as dancers Britt Stewart and Mollee Gray. Actors he hasn’t had on the show yet include Efron, Tisdale, 40, Bleu, 36, and Coleman, 45.

In terms of the HSM crew, Johnson sat down with choreographer Bonnie Story, screenwriter Peter Barsocchini and director Ortega, 75.

“My idea for ‘Get Your Head in the Game with Bart Johnson’ podcast was to celebrate the 20-year HSM Anniversary,” the actor tweeted later on Thursday. “[I wanted to] offer fans the first ever ‘cast interviewing cast’ experience as a THANK YOU to the best fans on the planet!!”

High School Musical will celebrate its milestone 20th anniversary next year, which Ortega also mentioned during his Wednesday, December 3, appearance on Johnson’s podcast.

“I hope that this 20th anniversary enables us to have an opportunity to say thank you in the grandest capacity to all those that just have continued to support and to find these movies,” Ortega said, teasing a potential reunion could be in the cards. “I wouldn’t mind seeing everybody. I think that would be really cool. A little thank you might not be a bad idea, folks. If you’re out there listening to me, let’s get together and say thanks, if nothing better.”

Ortega has even stayed in touch with the former East High crew through the years.

“I got a little catch-up with Zac [when he got] his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame,” he said. “The last time I saw Ashley [at Dancing With the Stars this fall], I was just admiring her beautiful home and her gorgeous [daughters], just hanging out with her and so so happy for the happiness that she’s found in her marriage.”