Ridham Vashishth
From belting out tunes as Troy Bolton in ‘High School Musical’ to diving deep into the dark psyche of Ted Bundy in ‘Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile,’ Zac Efron has come a long way. Born in 1987 in San Luis Obispo, California, Efron swiftly rose to fame, wowing us with his catchy songs and smooth dance moves. But he wasn’t going to be boxed in. Over time, we’ve seen him ace diverse roles, be it the comedic spins in ’17 Again’ or the musical beats of ‘The Greatest Showman’ and ‘Hairspray.’
His dedication to his craft is evident in the range of roles he’s taken up, reflecting his growth as an actor. Zac has a reputation for always pushing his limits as he doesn’t just stop at movies. He also made quite the splash in the documentary scene with his Netflix show, ‘Down to Earth with Zac Efron.’ With such an impressive track record, everyone has eyes on what he’ll do next. If you’re among the many waiting to see where his journey goes, here’s a sneak peek into the next stops on Zac Efron’s cinematic adventure.
1. A Family Affair (2024)
‘A Family Affair’ is an upcoming romantic comedy movie directed by Oscar nominee Richard LaGravenese, known for his works such as ‘P.S. I Love You’ and ‘Freedom Writers.’ The film’s narrative is set against the backdrop of a young assistant named Zara, who, after quitting her job with the narcissistic movie star boss Chris Cole, discovers her widowed mother has started a romance with the famous playboy. The film seems to be a blend of humor, romance, and drama that promises to be a memorable experience.
Zac Efron takes on the role of the womanizing movie star Chris Cole, whose demanding nature pushes Zara to her limits. Sharing the screen with Efron are illustrious names such as Nicole Kidman, Joey King, Kathy Bates, Gissette Valentin, Sherry Cola, Olivia Macklin, and Liza Koshy, each bringing their unique flair to the narrative. The film, which began production in August 2022 and concluded in October of the same year, is set to premiere on Netflix in 2024.
2. Famous (TBA)
Directed by Jody Hill, ‘Famous’ is a celebrity thriller based on New York Times bestselling author Blake Crouch’s popular novel of the same name. Chad Hodge has adapted it for the screen with Sam Esmail producing. The plot follows Lance Dunkquist, played by Efron (the only cast member revealed till now) who decides to go to Los Angeles (Hollywood) and get famous. How? Well, he has an uncanny resemblance to Hollywood icon James Jansen. We will find out whether he achieves this dream once the movie hits the screens. Efron will play both Dunkquist and Jansen. As of now, it is in its pre-production phase with more details, including the rest of the cast, yet to be revealed.
3. Three Men and a Baby (TBA)
‘Three Men and a Baby’ is an upcoming comedy film directed by Mo Marable, promising a fresh take that pays homage to the original 1987 classic. The narrative revolves around three bachelors living a carefree, luxurious life. However, their world turns upside down when an unexpected guest, a baby, is left at their doorstep. Along with the baby, a letter addressed to one of them claims the child is his daughter. The ensuing story captures these three men’s comedic struggles as they navigate the challenges of adapting to a baby-centric lifestyle.
Celebrated for his diverse portrayals, Zac Efron is set to take center stage in this highly-anticipated reboot. Although exact details about Efron’s character are still under wraps, the excitement is tangible. Curiosity is also mounting about the complete cast, especially given the iconic 1987 original that boasted big names like Tom Selleck, Steve Guttenberg, and Ted Danson. Behind the scenes, Gordon Gray, the mind behind ‘The Way Back’ (featuring Ben Affleck), is on board as producer, while Will Reichel is crafting the story. With the original film’s enduring appeal and the intrigue around Efron’s role, the film is keenly awaited by dedicated fans and newcomers alike. The movie is currently in its pre-production phase and a release date is awaited.
