High School Musical 3: Meet the New Kids on the Block... (Prokop, Martin, McKenzie-Brown)

New Wildcats
Filmmakers cast Matt Prokop (Hannah Montana, The Office) as Jimmie the Rocket
Zara, Justin Martin (TVs A Raisin in the Sun, The Express, Black Water Transit, The
Soloist) as Donny Dion, and British actress Jemma McKenzie-Brown (The Amazing Mrs.
Pritchard, M.I. High) as Tiara Gold.
To find the three new actors, we auditioned thousands of kids and it came down to 15 kids
that we thought had star quality, explains Borden. We brought them into a dance studio and
had them sing, dance, play sports. In the end, the final three had some magic that we felt would
transfer to the big screen.
Adds Ortega, Theres that certain
kind of effervescence, energy and
excitement, a chemistry that is
underneath the words, the music, the
dancing that some of these kids carry
into the room with them. And you
want to know them and spend time
with them.
From the first day they arrived,
they came in ready and excited,
continues Ortega. I felt like we
made really great choices. All of them come from good schooling and experience. In a matter
of hours they were a part of the team.
When we thought about introducing new characters, the one thing that we all said was we
do not want to find the new Troy or the new Taylor, says Borden. We want to find new
characters, we dont want to clone anyone. That isnt how school or life really is and that isnt
how we want these actors to be perceived.
Each new class is a new start, adds Rosenbush. Each new adventure is your experience
to understand and to learn and to exercise your talents and your aspirations. So by watching
Matt, Justin and Jemma in these new character roles, were going to see them find themselves.
But theyre still dealing in this magical world of East High.
Jimmie the Rocket Zara is your classic sophomore, says writer Barsochinni. When
youre that age, you think you rule the world. Hes a young kid on the basketball team who
really idolizes Troy Bolton. But on the other hand, sophomores think theyre the coolest thing
in the world. We wanted that kind of character at East High.
Actor Matt Prokop, 18, was thrilled to be cast as the rocker-wannabe. Its a dream. I would
have never thought in my life that I would be in a musical—I didnt sing and didnt dance
before HSM3, he says. Its kind of scary because everyones heard of High School Musical
15
CASTING
and now its going to be in theatres.
Justin Martin was cast as Donny Dion, best friend to Jimmie and towel boy for the
basketball team. Explains Borden, Those two guys hang out and theyre kind of like Abbott
and Costello. Theyre an unlikely team, which is really fun.
Adds Barsocchini, Of the pair, Donny Dion is the brains of the operation. Donny checks
out the depth of the water before he jumps in the pool.
Martin adds, Hes sort of a chill character. He balances out crazy Jimmie. He idolizes Troy
and Chad and hopes to be like them, but also wants to
get them out of the school so he and his partner-incrime
Jimmie can take over.
Martins family shared in his excitement of being
involved in the project. I have an 8-year-old sister who
thinks Im the coolest brother ever, says Martin.
The search for the Tiara character took filmmakers
across the pond to find Jemma McKenzie-Brown.
When we met Jemma, we thought this girl can do a lot
of things, says Barsocchini. Shes got some
sophisticated abilities. We knew we could give this
character of Tiara more colors in the rainbow than we
originally thought.
Adds Ortega, Jemmas smart, sophisticated beyond
her years and funny. Shes effervescent and a ball of
fun. She can sing. She can dance. I think shes got that
thing that Ashley has.
Tiara transfers to East High from England,
explains Barsocchini. Shes a couple years younger than our principal characters and might
have a couple surprises up her sleeve.
She becomes Sharpays personal assistant—her Mini-Me, adds McKenzie-Brown. She
looks up to Sharpay and sorts out her diva demands, but secretly, Tiara is conniving. Shes the
naughty one, Sharpays a diva—together were a nightmare.
The veteran cast members opened their arms to the new arrivals. Its great having the new
cast members, says Coleman. It totally parallels real high school.

Category:

Film & Animation

Tags:

• filmmaker
• reel
• interview
• trailer
• clips
• sneak
• peek
• matt
• prokop
• justin
• martin
• jemma
• mckenzie-brown
• high
• school
• musical

[EvilDOOER]

All 3 of these movies are GAY AS FUCK!!!!

How anyone likes this garbage is beyond me.

[blacktreemedia]

evildooer - yet you took the time to watch them. Interesting, if you think they are Gay, why watch the clip. Did somebody put a gun to your head? Do you also watch Gay porn?

[diiaNiux9]

hahaa

you knOw..you knOw..you knOw! hahah

[booster624]

how many times did matt say "y'know" during his first answer?

[purplecupcakezrok]

MATT IS SO HOT!

[twilightglozellfan1]

is ashley horne really going out with her?? coz im confused lol

[zifradekuijper]

jemma was then just 13/14 years old:)

[FrecheMaedchen1]

Matt says everytime u know ! u know ? :D

[PokeWorksOfficial]

@GToTheAnnouni doe normaal kleuter

[stfugtfofgt]

Jemma McKenzie Brown is Ashley Horne's girlfriend. She's 16. She's stunning. He's 21. I'm older than her. FML.

[keyboardgirl123]

@iSoulSilver lol

[keyboardgirl123]

Matt Prokop isnt that cute...

[Jaziestar5]

Thats Ashley Horne's girlfriend