Idol-chatting with 17 Again star Zac Efron Special

A clever and unique twist on the comedic grown-up-in-a-kid’s body shtick made famous in such films as Freaky Friday, Big and 13 Going On 30, the inventive and funny 17 Again — starring Friends alum Matthew Perry and tweener, teener and cougar sex symbol Zac Efron, the singing and dancing hunk-lite from the High School Musical franchise — is certanly worth its weight in laughs. In this cinematic variation of the old body/brain switcharoo, Mike (Perry), a former Class of 1989 high school basketball star who has made a complete mess of his life, marriage and relationship with his kids, is granted a second chance to do it all over again by being transported back to the age of seventeen -- but back into the body of his cool and hip 17-year-old former self (Efron) . However, while Mike may appear to be seventeen again, his geeky, thirtysomething outlook on life, girls and the mortgage proves to be totally uncool among members of the Class of 2009.

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A full-fledged teen/tween idol, Zac Efron, the 21-year-old actor who became a household name courtesy of his leading man roles in the mega-successful Hairspray and the High School Musical trilogy, portrays the seventeen year old Mike. During a mini-press conference held inside Beverly Hills' swank Four Seasons Hotel this past April, Efron (who is scheduled to begin filming the big screen adaptation of the the animated classic Jonny Quest in early 2010) talked about filming his scenes with costar Matthew Perry, explained if he considersed 17 Again a good transition from his roles in the HSM musical flicks, addressed the allegations that he was having trouble dealing with his overnight fame, revealed why he decided to drop-out of the Footloose remake, recalled his own high school days, how he channeled his own dad for the role of Mike and confesseed what he would do differently if he was seventeen again. In having to adopt Matthew Perry’s persona — when you make the big metaphysical switch — in 17 Again, who shot their scenes first? Were you able to watch the squences Matthew had shot or vice versa?“Who did their shoot first? We went back and forth. It was all mixed up. I think Matthew shot a couple of days, and then I'd come in and shoot. I was able to see a couple of scenes that Matt had done, for sure. I know that most of the work we did on figuring out our characters was just done in rehearsals. We had a couple of days where we were able to just hang out, and talk and figure out the key moments that really were Matthew's line that I was just kind of saying.” Was it easy changing roles?“No, it was hard work being Matthew in my mindset, but going back to high school as a kid in 2009 was even harder.” Did you see 17 Again as the perfect transition from your roles in the High School Musical films? In an interview, you costar Melora Hardin said you were having a difficult time with stardom. Are you going through some kind of existential angst about your life purpose or the pressure of dropping out of the Footloose remake? “Oh man. Gosh. Thanks, Melora. (laughs) I honestly am not really having a tough time. The number one question I've been asked about this movie is, 'If you could go back, would you change anything? If you could be seventeen all over again, what would you do different? Would you go down this road?' I'm like, 'Absolutely.' This is the best job in the world. I'm having the time of my life. I wake up everyday with a new challenge, whether it's filming, learning a new skill set, interviews, press, that kind of stuff. It's always fun. It's always interesting. It's always a challenge. I'm very happy with that. I'm very happy with my life right now. The first part of your question about doing 17 Again — it was exactly what I was looking for. This is an opportunity to work with a brilliant cast and an amazing director, and it was that chance to switch it up. It does take place in high school and a high school setting, but it's not a very High School character, and that's what I want to do more of…and with Footloose, I was just looking for a change. It was a complicated decision pulling out of Footloose. So many things go into saying yes or no to a film. This wasn't an easy one for me.” There has been talk about another Hairspray and High School Musical, so would you like to kick up his heels and do them?“Look, I'm not Fred Astaire. (laughs) I only learned how to dance for High School Musical. I'm ready for new challenges. I want to act and do serious roles. I'm a Renaissance man.”

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Did you go through a nerdy period in your own life? What was life in high school like for you – nerdy or not? “It was great. I was pretty cool until about freshman year of high school. It was definitely downhill until I was about seventeen. And then something happened and it all came back. But that was pretty much the time that I was just average. I worked hard in school and got good grades. I was not that cool. I thought I was cool.” Your character starts out as a dad, and obviously don’t have any children of your own. How did you incorporate the parent's feelings into your character for the scene in the classroom and have it be so emotional?“I thought about the way that my dad tried to have those talks with me and my little brother. He was always very passionate and energetic, and he delivered it like a champ, really. He was really excited, I think. So that's what came out during that particular scene during the movie.” What piece of advice do you remember from when you were seventeen that really sticks out in your memory?“I wish I could go back and just tell myself to chill out a little bit more and not take everything so seriously. Everything is so serious when you're that age, you know? Everything is heightened. You feel like an adult when you're seventeen and you have the social awareness of an adult, but that doesn't really apply in high school because everyone's young and stupid. So it's hard. You take it too seriously. So I think probably I'd go back and tell myself to chill out. This is just the beginning. And get ready because stuff's about to pop off.” 17 Again talks a lot about growing up and being mature and embracing your life — right now. What is your perspective in growing? Is it scary or plesant?“I can not wait to grow up! Apparently it's just getting exciting.” Do you mean to grow up on screen or growing in real life?“No, I was being sarcastic. I think I'm having fun right now. Whatever this age is, I'm thoroughly enjoying it, and I think it's getting better. Hopefully, I'll have the same answer.”

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17 Again – Blu-ray & DVD Bonus Features: Outtakes; featurettes; 13 deleted scenes and trivia track. On the BD Live! Feature you can listen to commentary from cast members Zac Efron & Thomas Lennon and director, Burr Steers and two special featurettes. (Warner Bros.) For more on the DVDs or Blu-rays of 90210: The First Season, The Class, I Love You, Man and The Tiger's Tail visit digital Journal