More than two decades after the original film became a Disney Channel phenomenon, the Cheetah Girls are coming back. Disney has officially greenlit The Cheetah Girls: Next Gen for Disney Channel and Disney+, with Raven-Symoné returning as Galleria and Adrienne Bailon returning as Chanel. Sabrina Bryan will make a special appearance as Dorinda, while Lynn Whitfield and Lori Alter reprise their roles as Dorothea and Juanita. Kiely Williams is not attached to the film at this time.
The new installment introduces a next generation of Cheetah Girls led by Leah Sava’ Jeffries (Percy Jackson and the Olympians) as Galleria’s daughter Faith, Carmen Sanchez (Electric Bloom) as Chanel’s sister Dior, Kaileen Chang as Ruby and Sophie Lennon as Brooklyn. Newcomer Kamogelo Ramashala, a South African actor discovered through a global open casting call held by Disney, will play Kendi. Sophia Bush also joins the cast in a supporting role as Jennifré.
The story picks up when Galleria and Chanel travel to Africa with Faith and her three friends to volunteer at a wildlife sanctuary. Along the way the four teen girls test their friendship, find their voice and discover the true Cheetah spirit as they work to save the preserve and ultimately take the stage as the new Cheetah Girls.
Symoné teased the news on Instagram with the caption “It’s happening, and it’s CHEETAHLISHIOUS!” alongside a video of herself heading to set, capped with a shot of her posing in front of an actual cheetah.
“The Cheetah Girls has always been about friendship, music and empowering young people to use their voice,” said Ayo Davis, president of Disney Kids & Family. “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.”
Symoné executive produces alongside original trilogy producer Debra Martin Chase. Bailon serves as co-producer. Bille Woodruff directs from a script by Kara Holden, Sarah Watson and Deborah Swisher, with choreography by Kyle Hanagami. Production begins this month in South Africa.
The original Cheetah Girls was the highest-rated movie on broadcast or cable in 2003, spawning two sequels and a hit soundtrack. The franchise helped launch the era of Disney Channel original musicals, paving the way for High School Musical, Camp Rock and Descendants. All three original films are currently streaming on Disney+. A premiere date for Next Gen has not yet been announced.