Award-winning director-producer Diane Foster is making waves again, as her newest feature film, Saturday – The Movie Musical, is set to begin production in Los Angeles. Dubbed a vibrant collision of The Breakfast Club and High School Musical, the coming-of-age story promises to resonate deeply with a generation grappling with pressure, performance, and self-discovery.
Starring Disney Channel alum Drew Seeley (High School Musical, Another Cinderella Story), the film is positioned as a powerful ode to the chaos and beauty of growing up in the modern world. With 13 original songs by BMI Award-winner Mark Vogel (Full House), Saturday unites seasoned stage talent with rising digital-era stars to deliver a story that sings in more ways than one.
The narrative unfolds over the course of a single day inside a high-stakes SAT prep class, where a diverse ensemble of teenagers confronts fears, dreams, and the academic and emotional rollercoasters that define adolescence.
The film arrives just as fans mark the 40th anniversary of The Breakfast Club, a milestone that reignited conversations around representation in teen films. During the reunion, star Molly Ringwald remarked that a reboot of the beloved classic wouldn’t make sense today due to the original film’s lack of diversity. Saturday, in many ways, is the answer to that cultural call—a fresh, inclusive take on the high school ensemble story that reflects the reality of today’s youth.
From viral TikTok creators to Broadway veterans, the film’s cast bridges generations and genres. Notable appearances include Desiree Davar (Jersey Boys, West Side Story) and David Hernandez (American Idol), alongside social media stars with a combined reach of nearly one million.
“It’s joyful, inclusive, and packed with songs that stay with you long after the credits roll,” says Foster, who also serves as director, choreographer, and producer under her company, WallyBird Productions.
Known for her commitment to gender parity and diverse storytelling, Foster previously helmed the horror-comedy Easter Bloody Easter, which earned an 88% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes and the ReFrame Stamp from Women in Film.
“Saturday is the kind of movie I wished existed when I was growing up,” she adds. “Now I get to bring it to life with a cast that’s pure magic.”
Joining Seeley are co-stars Brandon Keith Rogers (“Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin,” “West Side Story”), Jackie Cong Tran, Monica Evans, Mario Houle, Zeke Jones, Marcelle LeBlanc (“A Walton’s Thanksgiving,” “Grey’s Anatomy”), Adam Leiva, Stella Pozzuoli, Keaton Scolari, Riley Van Cleve (Disney’s “Create Your World”) and Luisa Wilson.
The cast of standouts also includes a roster of rising stars including Chris Bey (“Home Economics”), Kita Grayson, Sanjana Khurana, Lena Pham, Alondra Santos (“America’s Got Talent”), Lazarus Tate (“Baby Racer,” “Street Dreams: Los Angeles”), as well as international skateboarding sensation and Hermès model Camp Schill.
With choreography co-led by Gina Rizzo Bishop, and a script developed in collaboration with Foster, Lara Cody and Vogel—based on Cody and Vogel’s original stage musical—the production is designed as both a cinematic experience and a potential launchpad for future stage and digital iterations.
The film’s logline reads: Saturday follows a diverse group of high school students who come together for a one-day SAT prep class. As the day unfolds, they confront pressures, discover their voices, and form unlikely bonds—all through music, dance, and moments of truth.
Composer Mark Vogel sees the project as a generational anthem. “We want the music of Saturday to speak directly to Gen Z,” he says. “It’s a soundtrack for those still figuring out who they are—and daring to dream big.”
Production officially kicked off in April 2025, with a wide release anticipated in 2026. Foster’s vision for the project extends beyond the screen: she hopes it becomes a rite-of-passage film that lives in high school theaters, classrooms, and the hearts of young people for decades to come.
Published by Liz SD.
