BURBANK, Calif., Sep 23, 2008 (UPI via COMTEX) -- Hollywood's Walt Disney Studios says it plans to start selling tickets for its eagerly awaited movie "High School Musical 3: Senior Year" this week.

As of Friday, tickets will be available for purchase at www.disney.com/HSM3, the movie's official Web site.

Featuring "HSM" stars Zac Efron, Vanessa Hudgens, Ashley Tisdale, Lucas Grabeel, Corbin Bleu and Monique Coleman, as well as several newcomers, the new movie musical is scheduled to open in U.S. theaters Oct. 24.

The first two installments in the popular franchise aired as television movies.

"The 'High School Musical' phenomenon has generated such a loyal fan base and fans have been eagerly awaiting the big screen opening of 'High School Musical 3: Senior Year,'" Jim Gallagher, president of marketing for Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures, said in a statement Tuesday. "We're giving our devotees an opportunity to get their tickets now, a month before the movie opens, to show them we appreciate their loyalty and recognize their excitement for the movie."