Released in 2005, Sky High flew under the radar, yet it continues to ignite conversations among fans even after decades. The late Kelly Preston, who unfortunately passed away in July 2020, expressed her enthusiasm for the film, stating that it was an enjoyable and universally appealing experience, reminiscent of the beloved classic Disney films.
In the action comedy, Michael Angarano portrays Will Stronghold, who is the offspring of the superheroes the Commander and Jetstream. Upon his enrollment at Sky High, Will's abilities don't seem to match those of his parents, resulting in him being placed in sidekick classes. However, he quickly realizes that the sidekicks play an equally significant role as the school's heroes.
"It's truly invigorating," remarked Angarano to E! News in 2005. "While there is that element of romance and superheroism, if you strip all of that away, you essentially have a highly successful John Hughes-style high school movie."
Danielle Panabaker, who portrays Will's childhood best friend, expressed similar thoughts to her co-star. "It's incredibly relatable. These characters are experiencing the typical teenage struggles while being immersed in this extraordinary superhero universe," she shared with the publication.
Keep scrolling to find out what the cast of Sky High is currently up to:
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‘Sky High’ Cast: Where Are They Now? Kurt Russell, Michael Angarano and More
Sky High flew under the radar when it was released in 2005 — but fans are still talking about the school for superheroes decades later.
Kelly Preston, who passed away in July 2020, expressed her delight in discovering a film that could be enjoyed by everyone, stating, "It was a truly enjoyable experience, reminiscent of the beloved Disney classics."
In this action comedy, Will Stronghold (portrayed by Michael Angarano) is introduced as the son of the powerful superheroes, the Commander (played by Kurt Russell) and Jetstream (portrayed by Preston). Despite not displaying the same level of superhuman abilities as his parents, Will finds himself placed in sidekick classes at Sky High. However, he soon discovers the equal significance of sidekicks alongside the school's prominent heroes.
"It's absolutely invigorating," Angarano expressed to E! News back in 2005. "While there is that touch of romance and superhero allure to it, if you strip all of that away, what you're left with is essentially a John Hughes-style high school film that truly clicks."
Danielle Panabaker, who portrays Will's childhood best friend, echoed her co-star's viewpoint. "It's incredibly relatable. These guys are grappling with the familiar teenage anxieties of high school," she shared with the publication. "And then they're thrust into this extraordinary superhero universe."
Scroll down to see what the cast of Sky High is doing now:
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Kurt Russell
Russell took on the roles of The Commander and Steve, Will's father. Since then, he has appeared in several notable films including The Hateful Eight, Deepwater Horizon, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, Once Upon a Time ... in Hollywood, and the Fast and the Furious franchise. In The Christmas Chronicles and its 2020 sequel, Russell even depicted the character of Santa Claus.
In 1983, Russell entered into a relationship with his longtime partner, Goldie Hawn.
The Overboard costars,
, have a son together named Wyatt Russell, born in 1986. In addition, Russell is the father of another son named Boston, whom he shares with his ex-wife Season Hubley. Furthermore, he is the stepfather of Oliver and Kate Hudson, who were welcomed by Hawn during her marriage to Bill Hudson.
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Michael Angarano
Angarano starred as the superhero Will Stronghold, a member of superhero royalty known for his super strength and flight abilities. He achieved success on popular TV shows such as 24, The Knick, Will & Grace, I’m Dying Up Here, This Is Us, Minx, and Angelyne. His notable film roles include Black Irish, Red State, and Oppenheimer. In 2017, he demonstrated his skills as a writer, director, and actor in the film Avenues.
Since 2019, Angarano has been in a relationship with Maya Erskine, known for her role in Pen15. In the spring of 2021, the couple celebrated the birth of their first child, a son named Leon.
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Kelly Preston
Will's mother, Josie, also known as heroic Jeststream, was brilliantly brought to life by Preston. Following her captivating performance, she went on to star in several notable films such as The Tenth Circle, The Last Song, Dissonance, and Gotti. Tragically, her untimely passing occurred a year before the release of her final masterpiece, Off the Rails, in 2021.
The actress passed away in July 2020 following a two-year struggle against breast cancer. She was 57 years old. Preston leaves behind her husband, John Travolta, whom she married in 1991, as well as their two children: Ella and Benjamin. Tragically, their eldest son, Jett, died at the age of 16 in 2009.
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Danielle Panabaker
Panabaker portrayed the character of Layla, who was Will’s best friend and a superhero with the ability to control plants. She went on to star in various films such as Yours, Mine & Ours, Read It and Weep, Friday the 13th, Christmas Joy, and My Ira. On television, Panabaker appeared in shows like Shark, Justified, Arrow, DC’s Legends of Tomorrow, and The Flash, where she played the role of Caitlin Snow/Frost for nine seasons. In 2019, she started her directing career by directing multiple episodes of the popular TV series The CW hit.
In 2017, Panabaker tied the knot with attorney Hayes Robbins. They happily announced the birth of their first child in April 2020, and in July 2022, Panabaker joyfully confirmed the arrival of their second child.
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Mary Elizabeth Winstead
Winstead showcased her versatility by taking on dual roles in the film, portraying both the beloved teenage character Gwen Grayson and the menacing supervillain Royal Pain. She has since captivated audiences with her performances in various movies, such as Scott Pilgrim vs. the World, Spectacular Now, 10 Cloverfield Lane, Birds of Prey, and Kate. Hailing from North Carolina, this talented actress also brought characters like Mary Phinney from Mercy Street and Nikki Swango from Fargo to life. In addition to her acting prowess, Winstead made her debut as a producer in 2011 with the film Magnificat.
Winstead's marriage to Riley Stearns lasted from 2010 to 2017. During October 2017, the actress attracted attention when she became linked to Ewan McGregor, despite him still being married to Eve Mavrakis at the time. In January 2018, McGregor and Mavrakis officially filed for divorce, revealing their separation date as May 2017. As for McGregor and Winstead, they quietly exchanged vows in April 2022 and are now the proud parents of one child.
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Nicholas Braun
Braun took on the role of Zach, Will's beloved sidekick and one of his best friends. He went on to appear in several other films such as Minutemen, Princess Protection Program, The Perks of Being a Wallflower, How to Be Single, The Big Ugly, and Cat Person. In addition, Braun has made a name for himself on television with notable appearances in 10 Things I Hate About You, Poor Paul, Santa Inc., and as Greg Hirsch on Succession. His exceptional performance on the HBO Max series earned him three Emmy nominations in 2020, 2022, and 2023.
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Malika and Khadijah Haqq
Real-life twins Malika and Khadijah portrayed Gwen's best friend Penny in the TV show. Penny possessed the unique ability to clone herself. Malika, who is close friends with Khloé Kardashian, went on to have roles in ATL, 20 Years After, Somebody Help Me 2, and Definitely Divorcing. She has made guest appearances on Keeping Up With the Kardashians and competed on Celebrity Big Brother in 2018. In March 2020, Malika welcomed her first child, a son named Ace, whom she co-parents with her ex-partner O.T. Genasis.
As for Khadijah, she also had roles in ATL, 20 Years After, and You People. She has made appearances on Dash Dolls and The Kardashians. In July 2010, Khadijah tied the knot with former football player Bobby McCray. The couple has since welcomed three children named Christian, Celine, and Kapri. Additionally, Khadijah plays the role of a stepmother to Bobby Jr., McCray's eldest son.
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Steven Strait
Strait, who played the role of Warren Peace, is known for his portrayal of the son of supervillain Barron Battle. Alongside his appearances in movies such as Sleeping With the Fishes and Hot and Here Awhile, he has achieved recognition for his performances in television shows like Magic City and The Expanse. Additionally, Strait also demonstrates his skills as an executive producer, having worked on The Expanse: One Ship and The Expanse.
Strait was married to Lynn Collins from 2007 to 2013. He reportedly wed Russian model Daria Zhemkova in 2019.