Vanessa Hudgens up for Journey 2 role

Zac Efron effectively has distanced himself from the “High School Musical” franchise that launched him into the stratosphere. He turned heads in “Hairspray,” earned positive remarks for his comedic timing in the otherwise forgettable “17 Again.” And has tried his hand at drama – with mixed results – in “Me and Orson Welles” and “Charlie St. Cloud.” They might not have been slam-dunk hits, but he’s out there trying new things.
His girlfriend and “High School” cohort, Vanessa Hudgens, hasn’t been able to break away just yet. Her only major role outside of the Disney franchise was “Bandslam.” Not much of a stretch. Hudgens is part of the but-kicking female ensemble lined up for Zack Snyder’s “Sucker Punch,” but we won’t see that until next year. It could be the film that shows us a new side of Hudgens and puts her on the road to non-Disney success.
Here’s news that the tide might have turned in Hudgens’ favor. The Hollywood Reporter says the actress is in “final negotiations” to join Dwayne Johnson and Josh Hutcherson in the “Journey to the Center of the Earth” sequel, tentatively subtitled “The Mysterious Island.” Directed by Brad Peyton, the plot would take the trio in search of a mysterious island as they search for Hutcherson’s gradfather. Johnson, of course, replaces Brendan Fraser, who headlined the original 3D film.
According to the report, Hudgens would play “a Pacific Islander who gets swept into the adventure and ends up falling for Hutcherson.”
Good for him. And if Hudgens lands the role, good for her.