Zac Efron opened up after learning Matthew Perry wanted to cast him in a biopic about his life, revealing that he would be "honored" to play the late actor.
The day before he died, Perry reportedly told his friend Athenna Crosby his plans to make a movie about his life and that he wanted Efron to portray his younger self.
She told ET:
“He said that he wanted to make a movie about his life."
“He had worked with Zac Efron in the past on a movie, and he said that he wanted Zac Efron to play him as a younger version and that he was gonna ask him soon to do that.”
At the Dallas premiere of The Iron Claw on Tuesday, ET asked Efron his thoughts on the late actor's wish, to which Efron responded:
“I heard that and it’s a huge honor."
He continued:
“Matthew is just the best guy in the world and I had the best time of my life working with him. And to think that he was thinking of me for that role, I mean, I would be honored to do it, to be honest.”
You can watch the clip below.
Zac Efron Reacts to Matthew Perry Wanting Him for a Biopic (Exclusive)youtu.be
People on social media agreed Efron would be perfect for the role, especially considering he already played a younger Perry in their 2009 film 17 Again.
Zac would be perfect to play Matthew
— Hilary Nix (@MissHilary19) November 9, 2023
Could we BE any more excited about this casting idea?
Matthew Perry picking Zac Efron to play him in a biopic is like a dream come true for all ‘Friends’ fans. pic.twitter.com/72u3Xq9HTk
— HealingSoon ᵍᵐ (@HealingSoon) November 3, 2023
a good choice
— ari 💋 | not an alter, just tribute for ladygaga💖 (@_ariiXOXO) November 3, 2023
I’m here for it
— Shawty Bae (@PettyNickiMinaj) November 9, 2023
He would have been a good fit for the role
— Truly Pete (72%)👽 🔜 Some Rave Eventually (@AStateofPete) November 9, 2023
Love to see this
— Samriddhi Singh♥️ (@Samridd90774225) November 9, 2023
mentor matters💙
— Fang (@Tia55753914) November 9, 2023
Makes sense because they were the lead role in 17 Again
— Ben Walker, AKA Infinite Fury (he/him/his) (@Infinite_Fury2K) November 9, 2023
Crosby revealed to ET that Perry hoped to use the film to open up about his own struggles with addiction and help others going through similar experiences.
“He was just looking forward to sharing more about his story and his recovery from addiction, and really championing that cause to help more people, so he was so optimistic and happy about everything that he wanted to do."
Efron himself has been sober since 2013.
