The Cheetah Girls Are Back! Disney Unveils ‘Next Gen’ With Familiar Faces and Fresh Talent

The Cheetah print is coming out of the closet once again. More than 20 years after The Cheetah Girls first became a Disney Channel sensation, the franchise is making a comeback with returning fan favorites, a brand new cast, and an adventure designed to introduce the Cheetah spirit to a whole new generation.

Disney has officially greenlit The Cheetah Girls: Next Gen, which will premiere on Disney Channel and Disney+.

According to Variety, original stars Raven-Symoné and Adrienne Bailon are returning as Galleria and Chanel, bringing two of the group's most beloved characters back to the screen. Sabrina Bryan will also 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 movie also welcomes several fresh faces to the franchise. Sophia Bush joins the cast as Jennifré, while Leah Sava' Jeffries, known for Percy Jackson and the Olympians, will play Faith, Galleria's daughter. Carmen Sanchez of Electric Bloom stars as Chanel's sister Dior, alongside Kaileen Chang as Ruby and Sophie Lennon as Brooklyn. Newcomer Kamogelo Ramashala rounds out the cast as Kendi.

According to the official logline, "The story picks up when Cheetah Girls Galleria (Symoné) and Chanel (Bailon), alongside Galleria's daughter Faith (Jeffries) and her three friends, travel to Africa to volunteer at a wildlife sanctuary. Along the way, these four teen girls test their friendship, find their voice, and discover the true Cheetah spirit as they save the preserve and ultimately take the stage as the new Cheetah Girls."

Production is set to begin later this month in South Africa, giving the latest installment a beautiful new backdrop while staying true to the franchise's themes of friendship, music, and self-discovery.

Behind the camera, executive producer Debra Martin Chase returns to the series, joined by Raven-Symoné as an executive producer. Bille Woodruff will direct and co-produce from a script written by Kara Holden, Sarah Watson, and Deborah Swisher. Adrienne Bailon also serves as a co-producer, while renowned choreographer Kyle Hanagami will oversee the film's dance numbers. The movie is produced by Disney Kids & Family.

Disney says the heart of the franchise remains the same, even as a new generation takes center stage, as reported by Variety.

"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."

For Raven-Symoné, the project marks another return to one of her Disney roles. She previously reunited with fans in Raven's Home, which ran for six seasons from 2017 through 2023 as a continuation of the hit early 2000s series That's So Raven.

Based on Deborah Gregory's popular book series, The Cheetah Girls debuted as a Disney Channel Original Movie in 2003 and quickly became one of the network's biggest hits. The success led to two sequels, The Cheetah Girls 2 and The Cheetah Girls: One World, along with chart-topping soundtracks and concert tours featuring most of the original cast through 2008. Raven-Symoné appeared in the second film but chose not to return for the third, instead focusing on her solo career.

The original movies also helped shape Disney Channel's future. Their popularity opened the door for musical franchises like High School Musical, Camp Rock, and Descendants, each of which grew into blockbuster series with multiple installments.

Now, The Cheetah Girls are stepping back into the spotlight with familiar faces leading the way and a new group of performers ready to carry the franchise forward. If the original films taught fans anything, it's that the Cheetah spirit never really goes out of style.