‘Cheetah Girls 4’ Set at Disney With Raven-Symoné, Original Cast Members Returning

Production on the film will begin later this month on South Africa.

“The Cheetah Girls” executive producer Debra Martin Chase returns in that role for “Next Gen,” with Symoné also executive producing. Bille Woodruff will direct and co-produce with a script by Kara Holden, Sarah Watson, and Deborah Swisher. Bailon is a co-producer. Kyle Hanagami is handling choreography. The movie is produced by Disney Kids & Family.


“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.”

This marks Symoné’s second return to a Disney Channel character in recent years. Previously, she starred in the series “Raven’s Home” for six seasons between 2017 and 2023, with that show serving as a spinoff to her original show “That’s So Raven” from the early 2000s.

“The Cheetah Girls” movies are based on the book series by Deborah Gregory. The first film was released as a Disney Channel Original Movie in 2003 to great success, spawning two more films (“The Cheetah Girls 2” and “The Cheetah Girls: One World”) and a hit soundtrack, while most of the core four cast members went on to tour and record as The Cheetah Girls until 2008. Symoné appeared in “Cheetah Girls 2” but did not return for “One World,” focusing instead on her solo career.

“The Cheetah Girls” helped launch the trend of Disney Channel original musicals, with later examples including “High School Musical,” “Camp Rock,” and “Descendants,” all of which have spawned multiple films to date.