» Zac Efron interview – 17 Again
High School Musical star Zac Efron on growing up in new film 17 Again
©2008 New Line Cinema
What made you want to make 17 Again your next film?
Honestly, there was an opportunity when I read this script that I recognised. There were so many roles post High School Musical that were just high school stories. They were regular high school characters. They were dealing with high school romance and high school scenarios and high school drama. In 17 Again, I had an opportunity to play a 37-year old man, which is someone I can in no way relate to. And that seemed more interesting. I got a chance to play my father, really. That seemed like more fun. It seemed like the less obvious choice. And I had a blast doing it, so I’m glad that it came through.
Can you talk about observing Matthew Perry and Matthew Perry observing you playing him? Director Burr Steers was telling us that he would work with you to help you get his mannerisms.
Yeah, all the time. Matthew’s face is very specific and his mannerisms are very specific. He’s got, I don’t know, a built-in culture that was fun to try to find with him and Burr. He was always available on the phone, and I could call him and just ask, ‘What should I do here? I’ve got three things that I might try.’ And he would say, ‘Go with the first one.’ Or he would just point out things to remember: ‘Now, remember here that this is the most important thing that’s ever happened to you.‘
He would give advice. So, I was very grateful to Matthew for that actually. I owe him a lot.
If you had a chance to go back to high school, would you change anything about it?
I’d probably change a million things. If I could go back, I’d just pat myself on the back and be like, ‘Dude, you’re out of here.’ And you’re out of here in no time, honestly. It felt like forever. High school feels like you’re stuck there for an eternity. And the whole time you have to deal with all these strange social interactions because you’re trapped with all these kids your own age that are so different than you.
“I’d probably change a million things if I could go back”
Who was the prettiest girl in your school?
The prettiest girl in my school? I don’t want to say her name but I still remember her. I’m never going to forget that. There just are things like that – getting called out by one of your teachers in front of the whole class. Public speaking in high school’s a nightmare. I was actually alright because I was doing musical theatre, but some people would literally get the shakes and not be able to talk in front of the class. It’s very unnerving.
You just turned 21. What was your party like?
It was, I mean, a 21st birthday party. I had a lot of close friends and family. It was probably pretty low key for a 21st birthday party, I imagine. But it was a lot of people that I had never seen in the same room before, so I was very excited to have that. There were probably about 60 people, something like that. Close friends, friends from high school, friends from L. A., friends that I met from different projects. Burr and Thomas [cast member Thomas Lennon] were there.
It was an interesting crowd.
Do you feel older than you are sometimes?
Yeah, I think a little bit sometimes. From a very young age I got along with adults.
Do you ever wish you were older?
Maybe at times. But I’m also very young at heart, I think. I still have fun. I still have fun doing very young things, like watching cartoons in the morning!
Catch Zac Efron in 17 Again, showing at Odeon and Cineworld now.
