Look, nobody is going to argue that a fourth-installment, direct-to-video cheerleading sequel is high art. But if you look closely at the Bring It On: In It to Win It cast, you’ll realize this 2007 flick was basically a secret training ground for future TV stars and professional athletes. It’s wild. Most people remember the original Gabrielle Union and Kirsten Dunst masterpiece, but this specific chapter—the one with the West High Sharks and East High Jets—captured a very specific mid-2000s energy that still feels weirdly nostalgic.
Honestly, it’s about the chemistry.
You’ve got Ashley Benson before she was a Pretty Little Liar. You’ve got Cassie Scerbo before she was fighting CGI sharks in Sharknado. It was a moment in time where Universal was just churning these out, but the talent they found was actually legit.
The Lead Duo: Ashley Benson and Cassie Scerbo
Carson and Brooke. The Sharks versus the Jets. It was a cheerleader riff on West Side Story, and it worked because the two leads committed to the bit so hard.
Ashley Benson played Carson, the bubbly but competitive leader of the West High Sharks. This was years before she became Hanna Marin. In this film, you can see her developing that "it-girl" charisma. She wasn’t just hitting marks; she was doing the actual choreography. Benson has mentioned in interviews over the years that the training for these movies was grueling. They weren't just actors in uniforms. They were athletes.
Then you have Cassie Scerbo. As Brooke, she was the quintessential "mean girl" rival who eventually finds common ground. Scerbo brought a sharp, athletic intensity to the role that served her well later in the gymnastics drama Make It or Break It. The dynamic between these two is the engine of the movie. It’s that classic "enemies to teammates" trope that the Bring It On franchise lives for.
Who Else Was in the Bring It On: In It to Win It Cast?
It wasn't just the two leads. The supporting cast was filled with faces you’ve definitely seen in other random 2000s media.
Michael Copon played Penn, the love interest from the rival team. You might remember him as the Blue Ranger from Power Rangers Time Force or Felix from One Tree Hill. He brought a certain level of Disney-adjacent charm that fit the vibe perfectly. Then there’s Jennifer Tisdale (Ashley Tisdale's sister) as Chelsea. She leaned into the comedic relief role with a lot of heart, proving that the Tisdale family basically owned the teen movie genre in 2007.
- Noel Areizaga as Ruben: He was the soul of the Sharks.
- Kierstin Koppel as Sarah: The "Goth" cheerleader who became a fan favorite for being so distinct from the usual pep-squad archetype.
- Anniese Taylor Dendy as Aiysha: Bringing the much-needed power to the Jets' stunts.
The casting was diverse in a way that felt more natural than some of its contemporaries. They were looking for people who could actually dance and stunt, which meant the background performers were often real-world cheerleading champions.
The Professional Cheerleading Connection
What most people get wrong about this movie is thinking it’s all green screens and wires. It’s not.
Basically, Universal hired real cheer squads. The "Spirit Thunder" you see in the film included members from actual world-class programs. If you watch the credits closely, you’ll see choreography credits for Tony G, the same guy who handled the moves for the original film. This gives the movie a level of technical legitimacy that makes it watchable even if the plot is predictable.
Why the "Sharks vs. Jets" Rivalry Still Works
The plot is simple. Two teams head to the Cheer Central Championships at Universal Orlando Resort. They hate each other. A "cheer-off" leads to a massive brawl, which gets both teams disqualified. They have to combine forces to form a "super-group" and take down the actual villains, the Flamingos.
It’s cheesy. It’s predictable. But it works because the Bring It On: In It to Win It cast treated it like it was the Olympics.
There’s a specific scene—the "Cheer-Off" in the middle of the night—that remains a highlight of the franchise. It’s shot like an underground street race. The lighting is moody. The music is peak 2007 pop-rock. You can tell the actors were having the time of their lives. That’s the thing about these movies; if the cast isn't having fun, the audience definitely won't.
The Legacy of the 2007 Squad
Does this movie have the cultural weight of the original? No. Of course not. But it’s a fascinating look at the career trajectories of young actors in the mid-2000s. For Ashley Benson, this was a stepping stone to becoming a household name for a generation of teenagers. For Cassie Scerbo, it solidified her as a go-to actress for high-energy, athletic roles.
Also, the soundtrack featured Ashley Tisdale's "He Said She Said," which was a massive deal at the time. It created this weird, interconnected "High School Musical" and "Bring It On" multiverse that kids in 2007 absolutely obsessed over.
Actionable Takeaways for Fans and Collectors
If you're looking to revisit this era of the franchise or dig deeper into the cast's history, here are a few things you should actually do:
- Watch the "Making Of" Featurettes: If you can find the DVD or the digital extras, the behind-the-scenes footage of the "Cheer Camp" the actors had to attend is eye-opening. It shows the physical toll the roles took.
- Follow the Stunt Doubles: Many of the "background" cheerleaders in this film went on to become professional coaches or choreographers for the NFL and NBA. Searching for "Tony G Choreography" on YouTube will lead you down a rabbit hole of professional cheer history.
- Check out 'Make It or Break It': If you liked Cassie Scerbo's performance, this series is the spiritual successor to her role in In It to Win It.
- Look for the Universal Orlando Locations: The movie was filmed almost entirely at Universal Studios Florida. You can actually visit the locations where the "Shark" and "Jet" rivalry went down, specifically around the Lagoon and the CityWalk area.
The movie might be a product of its time, but the hustle of the performers involved was 100% real. They weren't just playing cheerleaders; for one summer in Orlando, they lived it.