More than 20 years after The Cheetah Girls became a Disney Channel fan favorite, the franchise is officially making a comeback.
Disney announced Wednesday, a music-driven film titled The Cheetah Girls: Next Gen has been greenlit for the Disney Channel and Disney+.
Production is set to begin this month in South Africa, and several original cast members are returning. Raven-Symoné will reprise her role as Galleria and will also serve as an executive producer alongside longtime franchise producer Debra Martin Chase. Adrienne Bailon returns as Chanel and is a co-producer.
Lynn Whitfield and Lori Alter will return to their roles as Dorothea and Juanita, while Sabrina Bryan will make a special appearance as Dorinda. Sophia Bush has also joined the cast in a supporting role as Jennifré.
A new generation of performers will lead the film. Leah Sava’ Jeffries (Percy Jackson and the Olympians) stars as Faith, Galleria’s daughter. She is joined by Carmen Sanchez Chanel’s younger sister Dior. Kaileen Chang plays Ruby, Sophie Lennon as Brooklyn, and South African newcomer Kamogelo Ramashala portrays Kendi.
The story picks up when Galleria (Symoné) and Chanel (Bailon) travel to Africa to volunteer at a wildlife sanctuary alongside Galleria’s daughter Faith (Jeffries) and her friends. “Along the way, these four teen girls test their friendship, find their voice, and discover the true Cheetah spirit as they save the preserve and ultimately take the stage as the new Cheetah Girls,” according to the official description.
The film will be directed by Bille Woodruff, who also helmed the original Cheetah Girls movies. The screenplay was written by Kara Holden, Sarah Watson and Deborah Swisher, with choreography by Kyle Hanagami.
“The Cheetah Girls has always been about friendship, music, and empowering young people to use their voice,” Ayo Davis, president of Disney Kids & Family, said in a statement. “That spirit connected deeply with a generation of fans, and it still resonates today. Bringing this dynamic new group of young stars to the franchise allows us to continue that legacy for a new era of kids and families.”
The Cheetah Girls premiered on Disney Channel in 2003 and became one of the network’s most successful original movies. It was followed by the sequels — The Cheetah Girls 2 (2006) and The Cheetah Girls: One World (2008).
Over the years, the films have remained popular through streaming and social media, and gained a new generation of fans.
The Cheetah Girls, The Cheetah Girls 2, and The Cheetah Girls: One World are currently streaming on Disney+.
Discover more from Urban Hollywood 411
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
