Zac Efron may be moving beyond Disney-type movies, but it seems like his girlfriend Vanessa Hudgens is sticking with the tried-and-true formula.

Hudgens ("High School Musical") and Alyson Michalka ("Phil of the Future," "Aly and AJ") are starring in "Bandslam," due in theaters Aug. 14, 2009. Michalka plays a gifted singer-songwriter who recruits a new kid in town (Gaelan Connell, "Chocolat") to manage her rock band. Her main motivation? Go up against her egotistical ex-boyfriend (Scott Porter, "Friday Night Lights") and his band at a battle of the bands competition. Meanwhile, Sam (Hudgens) and Will find romance.

My first instinct is this sounds a lot like "High School Musical" kicked up to a PG rating (for some thematic elements and mild language). But it’s produced by Elaine Goldsmith-Thomas and distributed by Summit Entertainment ("Twilight"), so it might surprise me. It will definitely appeal to fans of Hudgens and Michalka. Are you looking forward to this movie?

After the jump, more pics and a trailer…

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Vanessa Hudgens is moving beyond “High School Musical” with several new roles. And they sound like quite a diversion from HSM!

She’s signed for the teen romance “Beastly,” a film based on an Alex Flinn novel about a vain New York teen who’s made to look ugly in order to find true love. Sort of a reverse version of “Penelope.” Daniel Barnz has signed to direct.

Hudgens was also recently cast in an all-girl action flick “Sucker Punch,” co-written and directed by Zack Snyder (“300” and “Watchmen”). Kind of a different role for her, but you know, good for her.

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While the rest of us turned off the tube and went to bed after the 2009 Oscars ended, the stars in Hollywood were just getting started.

E! caught up with High School Musical’s Zac Efron and Vanessa Hudgens, who dished about how nerve-wracking their Oscar duet was, and what it was like being on stage with host Hugh Jackman. These two are such a cute couple. I hope they stay together for a while.

The youngsters are taking over the Oscars this year! And it’s just days away! ABC’s live telecast from Hollywood’s Kodak Theatre will air this Sunday, Feb. 22, 2009 at 5 pm PT/8 pm ET.

Robert Pattinson, the hunky vampire Edward Cullen in "Twilight" and the upcoming "New Moon," will be presenting, though I haven’t heard which award it will be. Also no word on whether his co-star, Kristen Stewart, will be by his side. Next up for the 22-year-old British actor is "Little Ashes," in which he’ll play artist Salvador Dali.

Also at the Oscars will be "High School Musical" star Zac Efron, who’ll be presenting the award for Best Original Song. Hmmm, will HSM girlfriend Vanessa Hudgens walk down the red carpet with him? They’ve managed to stay together for a while, haven’t they? An eternity in Hollywood!

I’ve also heard that Disney star Miley Cyrus will be there, as well, but she won’t be presenting. She’ll be there to support her animated movie, "Bolt," which is up for Best Animated Feature. And no word on whether her underwear model-actor boyfriend, Justin Gaston, will be her date. 

Image: Picapp.com; Source: Eonline.com

Vanessa Hudgens, Disney cutie and star of the “High School Musical” movies, reportedly auditioned for a role in “New Moon,” the upcoming sequel to last year’s smash-hit vampire flick “Twilight.” 

But it’s unlikely she’ll get the part – at least for now.

"I’m not sure about [final] casting, but I had heard Vanessa Hudgens was going up for the part of Leah [Clearwater, a werewolf]," screenwriter Melissa Rosenberg, who wrote both films, told PEOPLE at the Directors Guild of America Awards in L.A. Saturday night. "But at the moment, the part of Leah doesn’t happen until the third movie."

Ok, so she could still get it, but Hudgens’ reps have denied she was ever being considered for the role. If she does get it, she’ll have to do some heavy-duty image makeover. Many fans of the series think she’s just plain too sweet looking.

Join Film Gecko’s “New Moon Casting News and Rumors” discussion here!

Image: High School Musical 3, Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures, 2008

Rumors are swirling that Vanessa Hudgens, cutie from the "High School Musical" movies might be close to signing as the character of Leah in "New Moon."

Wow, I really can’t see her in the role at all. What do you guys think about this? Maybe I need to stop thinking of her in terms of the HSM movies, since those are pretty much a done deal. I mean, she has to move on, right?

The "Twilight" sequel is in the works, with Chris Weitz in as director and filming scheduled to begin in March. Look for the vampire movie to be theaters on Nov. 20, 2009.

And if you haven’t yet checked out our "New Moon Casting News and Rumors" discussion, get over there and check it out!

Image: Vanessa Hudgens and Zac Efron; Newscom

Awww, I always like hearing about celebrities doing good things. Actor Zac Efron brought Christmas - and gifts - to some kids at an L.A. hospital.

Young patients at the Mattel Children’s Hospital UCLA were delighted when the “High School Musical” star played Santa Claus by giving away $10,000 worth of toys, including art sets, board games, and HSM products. He also signed autographs and posed for pictures.

A source told Us Magazine, “He really spent time bonding with each of the children and their families. The kids were smitten and beaming from ear to ear. Some of the kids couldn’t even speak, but they had the widest grins and would sit as close to him as possible.

“Zac was super gracious and could not have been more kind and truly happy to be there.” Ok, other celebs take note! Way to go, Zac Efron!

Watch a video montage of his visit after the jump…

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David Cassidy — ‘member him, from “The Partridge Family“? — has a few words of advice for Zac Efron: Keep it real.

“All I can say to Zac is that as long as he does good work, doesn’t lose his mind, and stays grounded as a human being, he’ll be fine,” Cassidy, 58, tells Britain’s Daily Mail as he’s about to embark on a U.K. concert tour (!).

He adds: “But he’d better fasten his seatbelt because it’s going to be a very bumpy ride.”

More after the jump…
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One of my publicist buddies sent me screener copies of two DVD games being released on Nov. 18, 2008. My 11-year-old daughter and I had loads of fun playing them, and we gave them both a big thumbs up. These are great games for kids to play together, but if you’re a kid at heart like me, they’re fun for adults, too! Here’s the lowdown:

Hannah Montana DVD Game: This fun interactive game lets you take center stage at a Hannah Montana concert, play the drums to audition for her band, learn new dance moves, and test your HM knowledge with clips, pictures and quotes puzzles. The DVD features 11 games and activities, and it will definitely be making an appearance at my daughter’s next slumber party. Sweet niblets, this DVD is way too much fun for kids of all ages! [Official Site]

High School Musical Game: This DVD also features 11 interactive games and activities, including sing-alongs, friendship quizzes, dance routines, hoop shoots for the Wildcats, and some cool test-your-knowledge games. My daughter and I had the most fun with BFFs, a game that tests how well you know your best friends. Turns out we know each other pretty well. This DVD is tons of fun for both kids and adults! [Official Site]

Images: Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment, 2008