Several original High School Musical performers returned to East High to film a fourth movie, sort of a reunion, for the final season of HSMTMTS. Fans were given an update on the whereabouts of characters like Taylor McKessie (Monique Coleman), Chad Danforth (Corbin Bleu), Martha Cox (Kaycee Stroh), and Ryan while singing a brand-new original song called “High School Reunion.” At one point, Ryan rushes off stage and kisses Scott Hoying, who is playing his boyfriend.
“I came up to Kenny [Ortega] one day and was like, ‘Hey, so can we talk about the character for a second? Ryan’s gay, right?’” Lucas recalled during an interview with TMZ from July 2020. “He was like, ‘Well, I mean, it’s a touchy subject sometimes with children’s programming — I’m not sure if Disney is ready now for that kind of thing. I absolutely agree that he is and I think we have an opportunity here to showcase a real person.’”
Lucas admitted he wasn’t sure if he would ever want to play Ryan again at the time.
“There are so many amazingly talented gay actors that could do it as well, so if High School Musical was made today — I don’t know if I would play Ryan,” he added. “I would love to, but the last thing I want to do is take an opportunity away from other people. As a straight white man, I know that even without trying, I have taken opportunities away from other people.”
The Descendants director continued by stating why he “didn’t think at the time” Ryan should be out and proud of his sexual orientation.
“I was concerned because it was family and kids, that Disney might not be ready to cross that line and move into that territory yet,” he shared. “So, I just took it upon myself to make choices that I felt that those who were watching would grab. They would see it, they would feel it, they would know it and they would identify with it. And that is what happened.” he also added.
