Although there is still no official statement from Disney Channel, rumors claiming that "High School Musical 4" will be released next year have become persistent. In addition to the release date rumor, the upcoming sequel of the TV special is also accompanied by the speculations that two of its original cast members, Zac Efron and Vanessa Hudgens, are also coming back to be part of the fourth installation of the popular movie for TV musical.

When "High School Musical 4" was announced back in March, many people thought that the movie for TV musical special will be aired within the year. However, it has been learned that "High School Musical 4" will not hit the small screen until 2017.

Without any official word from the Disney Channel, though, fans looking forward to the fourth installment of "High School Musical" still have the reason to hope that it can be aired before the year ends.

Meanwhile, another "High School Musical 4" mystery that has been circulating since the announcement of the TV special is the possibility of Efron and Hudgens lending their presence to the show that helped them carve a name in Hollywood.

While it's true that Efron and Hudgens are no longer fit to play the high school teen characters that they portrayed 10 years ago, there are those suggesting that they can be woven into the story of "High School Musical 4" as members of the school alumni.

However, at this point in time, no one outside "High School Musical 4" can confirm nor deny the inclusion of the two, at least for a guest appearance, in the said upcoming TV event.

It was in June when Variety reported that Efron was in talks for a possible role with the planned Hugh Jackman starrer "Greatest Showman on Earth" movie, which, just like "High School Musical," will be, well, a musical, too. However, as of this writing, there is still no solid piece of information whether Efron is really part of the planned movie.

Efron has just wrapped up filming the "Baywatch" movie, which is slated to arrive in theaters in May next year.

On the other hand, Hudgens is slated to headline the upcoming NBC series "Powerless," which is an office comedy that follows the lives of the regular people in a world where superheroes exist.

"Powerless" is slated to arrive next year as well.

Is there a chance for "High School Musical 4" to be aired this year? Will Efron and Hudgens appear in "High School Musical 4" even just for a guest appearance?

Fans can only wait and pray.