In the 2009 teen comedy “17 Again,” Zac Efron played the young version of Matthew Perry’s character who magically becomes younger overnight. Now the “High School Musical” star could follow in Perry’s footsteps again. The 36-year-old would feel “honored” to portray the recently deceased actor in a biopic.
Matthew Perry, who died on October 29th at the age of 54, had big plans for the future. Athenna Crosby – a good friend of the “Friends” actor – said this in an interview with the Canadian news magazine “Entertainment Tonight”. “He said he wanted to make a movie about his life,” said the 25-year-old model, who met Perry for lunch the day before his death. “And he had worked on a film with Zac Efron in the past. He said he wanted Zac Efron to play him as a younger version and that he would soon ask him to do it.”
According to Crosby, the actor was “so optimistic and happy” about his plans. “He was just excited to share more about his story and his recovery from addiction and really get involved in this cause to help more people,” the friend added of his venture.
When Zac Efron was approached by People Magazine about the possibility of a biopic about the late actor, he was not averse to it. “I’m honored to hear that he thought of me to play him,” Efron said. “We will see. It would be an honor to do it.” The “Baywatch” actor also explained that Perry was a kind of “mentor” to him. “I looked up to him, I learned comedic timing from him. “I mean, when we were filming ’17 Again,’ it was so surreal for me to look over and see him there because I learned so much from him, from his whole life,” Zac Efron said in an interview.
The cause of Perry’s death has not yet been announced. According to police, he was found unconscious in his Los Angeles home on October 28. After his death, the Matthew Perry Foundation was created and now accepts donations to support people struggling with addiction.