Disney officially announces Cheetah Girls 4 with Raven-Symoné and original stars

Disney confirms Cheetah Girls 4 as Raven-Symoné returns with original cast and a brand-new generation of stars

Disney has officially announced Cheetah Girls 4, titled The Cheetah Girls: Next Gen, with Raven-Symoné and Adrienne Bailon returning to reprise their iconic roles in the beloved Disney Channel franchise.

The upcoming film will see Raven-Symoné return as Galleria and Adrienne Bailon as Chanel, while Sabrina Bryan is set to make a special appearance as Dorinda. Lynn Whitfield and Lori Alter will also reprise their roles as Dorothea and Juanita. However, Kiely Williams is not attached to the project at this stage.

The sequel introduces a new generation of Cheetah Girls led by Leah Sava' Jeffries, who plays Faith, Galleria's daughter. She is joined by Carmen Sanchez as Dior, Kaileen Chang as Ruby, Sophie Lennon as Brooklyn and newcomer Kamogelo Ramashala as Kendi. Actress Sophia Bush also joins the cast as Jennifré.

According to Disney, the story follows Galleria, Chanel and four teenage girls as they travel to South Africa to volunteer at a wildlife sanctuary. During their journey, they face challenges that test their friendship while discovering the meaning of teamwork, confidence and the enduring Cheetah spirit.

Production is scheduled to begin later this month in South Africa. The film will be directed by Bille Woodruff, with executive producer Debra Martin Chase returning alongside Raven-Symoné. The screenplay is written by Kara Holden, Sarah Watson and Deborah Swisher, while Kyle Hanagami will oversee choreography.

Originally debuting in 2003, The Cheetah Girls became one of Disney Channel's biggest franchises, inspiring sequels, music tours and successful soundtracks. The Cheetah Girls: Next Gen aims to introduce the franchise to a new generation while bringing back familiar faces for longtime fans.