Zac Efron is ready to take on the role of his late “17 Again” co-star Matthew Perry.
In a red carpet interview for the world premiere of his new film “The Iron Claw” in Dallas on Wednesday night, the actor told People that he would be “honored” to play Perry, who died late last month Died aged 54.
Perry had reportedly expressed his desire for Efron to play him in a future biopic after first playing a younger version of the actor in the 2009 comedy “Friends.”
Athenna Crosby, a friend of the late actor who was one of the last to see him, told “Entertainment Tonight” last week that Perry wanted to make a movie about his life and hoped Efron would play him.
“I’m honored to hear that he considered me playing him,” Efron said. “We will see. It would be an honor to do it.”
The “High School Musical” actor said he was “devastated” by Perry’s loss and remembered the actor as a mentor he looked up to.
“He was a mentor to me and we made a really cool movie together,” Efron told People. “I looked up to him, I learned comedic timing from that guy. I mean, when we were filming ’17 Again,’ it was so surreal for me to look over and have him there because I learned so much from him, from his whole life.”
Perry, best known for his role as the sarcastic, wisecracking Chandler Bing on the NBC hit comedy Friends, was found dead in the hot tub of his Los Angeles home on Saturday, October 28.
“We are heartbroken over the tragic loss of our beloved son and brother,” the family said in an exclusive statement to People the following day. “Matthew has brought so much joy to the world, both as an actor and as a friend. You all meant so much to him and we appreciate the tremendous love that has flowed his way.”
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His “friends” family broke their silence on October 30 to share their grief. Courteney Cox, Jennifer Aniston, David Schwimmer, Lisa Kudrow and Matt LeBlanc released a joint statement paying tribute to their friend and co-star, saying: “We are all deeply devastated by the loss of Matthew. We were more than just cast.” Friends. We are a family.”
Contributor: Laura Trujillo
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