The next (final?) chapter of High School Musical will jump from The Disney Channel to the big screen in the not-too-distant future, with filming set to begin early next year. Director Kenny Ortega returns with the complete original cast (yes, Zac and Vanessa got big salary bumps), but the best news is that the original rumored plot (setting it in � a haunted house?) has been ditched in favor of the natural choice, senior year at East High.

What will happen in High School Musical 3? I think it is safe to say that the following will -- or will not -- be seen:

• Since they barely got a chance to kiss in HSM2, Troy and Gabriella will continue their chaste romance with a distinct lack of PDAs. In other words, no �very special episode�-style pregnancy scares or �get a room� suck face sessions.
• Sharpay returns to her �evil� ways, but sets her sights a little lower this time out: editor of the yearbook.
• HSM2�s Mr. Fulton gets a job as East High�s newest guidance counselor, and sparks fly between he and drama teacher Ms. Darbus (Alyson Reed). However, since the adults don�t sing in HSM land, their passion remains unmusicalized.
• Two words: Senior Prom.
• An inspirational duet for our lovebirds that aims to be the breakout hit single � and wannabe Oscar-winner for Best Original Song.
• Basketball, baseball, golf � what will be the next sport to get the HSM treatment? How about bowling? Oh wait, Grease 2 already did that � damn you, Allan Carr!
• As usual, the mothers of both Troy and Gabriella will receive next to no screen time.
• A graduation day finale with lots of peppy choreography, ending with a bird�s eye view freeze frame of the gang tossing their mortarboards into the air.
• We again never see an actual �high school musical�.
• And finally: Ryan will come out of the closet wearing a brand new hat.

Congratulations to Ratatouille, which is starting out the awards season as the top cheese. In addition to being named Best Animated Feature by the National Board of Review, the Pixar hit racked up nominations with the Annie, Satellite and Grammy awards.

Ratatouille leads the nominees for the International Animated Film Society�s 35^th Annual Annie Awards with 13, including Best Animated Feature. Brad Bird was recognized as both director and screenwriter, and three of the film�s voice actors were also singled out: Patton Oswalt, Janeane Garofalo and Ian Holm (but where�s Peter O�Toole?). Other Disney productions that received nominations include the Ratatouille short, Your Friend the Rat, up for Best Animated Short Subject, as is Goofy�s return to theaters, How to Hook Up Your Home Theater (which will screen with this month�s National Treasure: Book of Secrets). Meet the Robinsons received two nominations, including one for Best Music, where it is competing with Ratatouille and Disney Princess Enchanted Tales. The Annie Awards will be announced February 8.

Michael Giacchino�s Ratatouille score was also recognized by the Grammy Awards (receiving a nomination for Best Score Soundtrack Album) and the International Press Academy�s Satellite Awards, where the film is again up for Best Animated Feature. Enchanted nabbed two nods, including one for Amy Adams for Best Actress - Comedy/Musical, and Pirates of the Caribbean: At World�s End was nominated for Best Sound. The Grammys will be presented February 10, while the Satellite Awards will be handed out December 16.