Sky High (2005 film)

Sky High is a 2005 American superhero comedy from Walt Disney Pictures. Mike Mitchell directed it, with a script by Paul Hernandez and Bob Schooley and Mark McCorkle, the creators of *Kim Possible*. The cast includes Kelly Preston, Michael Angarano, Danielle Panabaker, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, and Kurt Russell. The story centers on Will Stronghold, a teenager whose parents are both famous superheroes. He gets sent to a high school that floats in the sky, meant for young heroes. While there, his own powers start to emerge, and he tries to keep his friendships intact, faces a mysterious villain, and pursues a romantic interest.

Buena Vista Pictures Distribution released the film on July 29, 2005. It earned $86.4 million globally, against a $35 million budget. Critics and audiences gave it generally positive reviews at the time, and it later gained a reputation as a cult film.

Will Stronghold lives in Maxville with his parents, Steve (the Commander) and Josie (Jetstream). He is nervous about starting at Sky High, their alma mater, because he has not shown any superpowers yet. On the first day, Will and his best friend Layla are bullied by older students Speed, Lash, and Penny. Will is attracted to Gwen Grayson, a popular senior with technopathic abilities. Because he lacks powers, the school places Will in the "Hero Support" track, making him a sidekick. Layla joins him in protest of the two-tier system.

Steve, unaware of this, shows Will his hidden trophy room, the Secret Sanctum. He is especially proud of the "Pacifier," a weapon taken from his presumed-dead nemesis Royal Pain sixteen years earlier. He does not notice a hidden camera in a new trophy. Will then fights Warren Peace, a pyrokinetic outcast whose supervillain father was imprisoned by Steve. During the fight, Will suddenly develops super-strength. He moves to the Hero track and spends more time with Gwen and her friends, ignoring Layla and the sidekicks. Layla later tells Warren she loves Will, while Gwen invites Will's parents as honored guests to the Homecoming dance.

The day before the dance, Gwen tricks Will into throwing a party at his house and has Speed steal the Pacifier. Layla investigates but is stopped by Gwen, who claims Will knows about Layla's feelings but is too polite to reject her. Layla leaves in tears. Will breaks up with Gwen and refuses to attend the dance.