Zac attack

Most of us have wished at one time or another that we could go back in time and get a second shot at life. Well, in the movies, we can. Zac Efron, the dewy-eyed star of the teen comedy fantasy "17 Again," certainly wishes he could -- he wants to do something about that tuxedo he wore to his senior prom.

Efron, 21, has become one of America’s most popular young stars among pubescent fans ever since he starred in the three "High School Musical" films. If you go to see "17 Again" (or any movie he’s in), be prepared for girls in the audience to start shrieking whenever Efron appears shirtless. Efron’s fame has also spread to Japan where 500 screaming young girls were waiting for him at Narita when he arrived for a short visit this week (he was last here in February).

In "17 Again," Mike O’Donnell (Matthew Perry) is a washed-up 37-year-old salesman. His wife has left him, his teenage daughter is a brat and his son a milksop. Mike goes back to his high school to reminisce about the good old days 20 years ago, when he was a basketball star with a college scholarship on offer and in love with his girlfriend. He ponders what his future might have been like if he hadn’t given up the scholarship to marry his pregnant girlfriend. After an encounter with a mysterious janitor, Mike is turned back into his 17-year-old self (Efron) but in the present time, rather than 20 years ago.

“It was my most challenging role so far,” said Efron. “I had no way to relate to a 37-year-old character. I have no kids, never had to console a daughter or played in a basketball championship.”

Efron said the most common question he gets asked wherever he goes is what he would like to change if he could go back in time. “I think we all feel that way at times. I’ve still got youth on my side, but if I could go back a few years, I wouldn’t change anything big -- my biggest mistakes are what got me where I am today. I’d probably make sure to ace a couple of tests at school, talk to a few girls a bit differently and rethink the tuxedo I wore to the prom.“ Ah yes, the tux. What was wrong with it? “I wanted something vintage and went to a thrift shop. The whole thing didn’t cost more than $10. It looked great in the store but when I see the pictures now, I look like goofy.”

Born in San Luis Obispo, California, Efron started singing and acting on the stage when he was 11. He appeared in episodes of numerous TV shows, such as "Summerland," "ER" and "CSI: Miami," and was a guest host on Saturday Night Live. His movie career took off with "Hairspray" and the "High School Musical" films.

His advice to any teenager wanting to follow in his footsteps: “First and foremost, do as much acting in the theater as you can. When I was in school, I was often in multiple productions. If there was a part for a kid aged 11-16, I went for it. Being in a play teaches you much more about the art of acting. You are part of a team effort working to achieve a common goal and that translates even to the biggest movie sets.”

Looking ahead, Efron said he would like to perform on Broadway. “There are a million people I could follow. When I see actors take on challenging roles and really deliver, that inspires me. I guess I am lucky to have a goal. If I hadn’t become an actor, I’d probably be like a lot of my friends in college, going back and forth between majors because they haven’t got a clue what to do with their lives.”

© Japan Today