Monday, March 02, 2009

Zac Efron talks about 17 Again,College and Google

Zac recently sat down with French film website AlloCiné to dish on 17 Again, college plans and and how it feels to have older female fans.

On why he accepted the role of Mike O’Donnell: “I filmed this movie before “High School Musical 3”, and thought this character was an interesting challenge for me, cos the opposite of what I usually do. And playing the role of a mature man kind of forced me to grow up in some way, it made me realize what it’s like to be an adult in this world.”

On where he sees himself at age 37: “Honestly, I have no idea! I don’t even want to think about it. I don’t even know where I’ll be tomorrow, let alone in 20 years! I’m pretty sure I could be in lots of different places when I’ll be 37.”

On what he was doing when he was 17: “Yes. I was 17 or something like that during the first High School Musical. We were just getting started and I didn’t really know what people would think about this in the States, how they would react. Nobody was expecting such a huge success. Actually, going to high school was still very normal for me, no big deal. I was just a random student, like anybody else. Someone pretty average: I wasn’t a heartthrob at all, with all the girls falling for me, like in High School Musical 3. It’s really funny, cos back then, I was thinking I’d just go to college, and probably be a doctor!”

On if he remembers being 17: “It’s funny, cos it feels like it was centuries ago! Thinking about all those years up until now actually makes me dizzy.”

On what type of student he was:” Well, I was a good student, with great grades, yeah. I’m very proud of it, because I was working really hard.”

On his college plans: “Right now, I clearly don’t have time to think about studying. Actually after High School Musical, I was thinking about going to USC in Los Angeles, and take some classes, something about cinema obviously. Some of my friends were studying there already, and I was really interested. But then, I had to postpone it for a year, then another year, etc. So now, I’m not sure about all this anymore… But, in some way, thanks to all the movies I filmed, I became a ’special’ student.”

On the girls he went to high school with: “I wish! But well, while the other boys looked like models or were men already, I still looked like a little boy so girls weren’t even paying attention to me.”

On playing a 37-year-old man in a 17-year-old body: “Yeah, well, it wasn’t like I could use my experience obviously, so it was a big challenge. Fortunately, the director gave me a lot of advices, so it wasn’t that hard in the end. At least, for once I could play someone else than a 17 year old heartthrob!”

On co-starring with Matthew Perry: “I’ve always been a fan of Friends, so yeah, I knew who he was of course; but I didn’t know him personally, I had never met him. But it’s cool, I immediately knew he was a great guy, audacious and so hilarious, he’s fine.”

On working with Leslie Mann: “It was a real challenge indeed, and I had no idea whether or not we’d get along. But after 5 minutes chatting with Leslie Mann, I was completely hooked up! She’s really sweet and adorable, and she’s very funny. She’s also open-minded and frank, and not conceited at all. It was definitely lovely to work with her.”

On his female fans: “Well, the moms have been there from the very beginning actually! So I had some time to get used to it. Actually, it’s funny because sometimes, the moms are even more passionate than their daughters, and it’s a bit weird for me to think that grown-up women have a crush on me and love High School Musical.”

On his craziest premiere: “Well, movie premieres in general are always crazy. But I have to say that I’ve never seen so much passion than in Mexico recently [for High School Musical 3]. It really was a big deal! There were so many people that we couldn’t actually reach the main entry of the theater, so we had to use the doors in the back. That day, I actually saw a slight hint of panic in my bodyguards eyes, they didn’t know how to keep the situation under control.”

On trying to maintain a normal life: “True, but well I can’t complain, because it’s part of my job. I wanted what’s happening to me. You just have to seize the day and enjoy it, because one day the craziness will die down anyway. This is the life I’ve always wanted, I made my own destiny, I’ve been passionate and worked really hard to get what I have now. So today, I’m very happy about my life, there’s no way you’ll see me whining cos it’s a bit “complicated” for the moment.”

On his biggest ambition: “Definitely not being the most popular and famous guy in the world, but maybe becoming the best actor ever.”

On using his fame to get stuff: “No way! Abusing of your status will, sooner or later, end up being a bad thing. It’s the boomerang effect, you know… And anyway, even when I try to use it, it doesn’t work. It’s funny because the other day, at the LA premiere of High School Musical 3, I was late and couldn’t find a place to park my car. So I tried to go to the VIP parking, but the guard didn’t recognize me. I insisted, saying who I was, but he didn’t believe me and told me he already heard this before. Eventually, I found somewhere to park my car, but I had to pay! Incredible, right?”

On what he bought with his first paycheck: “Lots of video games!”

On if he plays the Wii:” I am! I love spending hours playing with my friends… And I also bought a new house in LA. But it’s not a big mansion, I don’t need to brag, I just wanted a place I could call ‘my home’, something comfy and cool, where I can invite friends and play video games.”

On new possible projects, Ohio and Footloose: “I don’t know anything really about Ohio. I think there’s indeed something happening, and Justin [Timberlake] is a part of it. I’m a big fan of him, so I can’t wait to hear more about it. About Footloose, I can’t give you any news, but it’s still in the works.

On if he Googles himself: “Yeah, it happens, especially when there are weird rumors about me. It depends on who writes those rumors, but it can be a huge deal sometimes, then people start calling me to know whether it’s true or not.. We’re really living a crazy time, and honestly, sometimes I’d be just fine without all the craziness.”

source

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