Zac Efron Says He Would ‘Be Honored’ to Play 17 Again Costar Matthew Perry in a Biopic (Exclusive)

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    “I looked up to him,” the actor tells PEOPLE exclusively of Perry, who died last month at age 54

Zac Efron is remembering his late 17 Again costar Matthew Perry.

While walking the red carpet for the world premiere of his new film The Iron Claw in Dallas, Texas, on Wednesday evening, the actor, 36, tells PEOPLE exclusively that he would be open to playing Perry — who died last month at age 54 — in a future biopic, after Perry previously expressed he would want Efron for the role.

“I’m honored to hear he was thinking of me to play him,” Efron says. “We’ll see. I’d be honored to do it.”

Noting that he is “devastated” by Perry’s loss, Efron also recounts fond memories he has of filming the 2009 comedy 17 Again alongside the Friends star.

“He was a mentor to me, and we made a really cool film together,” he says. “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 across and have him be there, because I’ve learned so much from him, from his whole life.”                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         

In 17 Again, Efron played a younger version of Perry’s Mike O’Donnell. The film centers on 37-year-old Mike, who has regrets about how his life turned out, until he gets the chance for a do-over when he falls into a time vortex and becomes a teenager again.

Entertainment reporter Athenna Crosby, who was photographed dining with Perry at the Hotel Bel-Air one day before his death, previously told PEOPLE that the star “wanted to make a movie about his life and have a biopic made” — and that he “wanted Zac Efron, who’s played him already, to play him again because he said he did such a good job.”
The cast of 17 Again also included Leslie Mann, Michelle Trachtenberg, Jim Gaffigan and Thomas Lennon.

Lennon, who also worked with Perry on The Odd Couple television series that began in 2015, wrote a tribute to Perry published by Variety.

“Matty had huge feelings and was not afraid to make you a part of those feelings. A comedy sword-swallower using real swords. The swords hurt,” wrote Lennon, 53, later adding, “Matty was always trying to get better. Matty was ready to talk. Matty didn’t want to be alone. Matty wanted to make you laugh even if swallowing the swords hurt.”                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   

Best known for playing Chandler Bing on 10 seasons of the sitcom Friends, Perry was also known for movies like 2000’s The Whole Nine Yards, 1997’s Fools Rush In and 1999’s Three to Tango.

Perry’s family said in a statement to PEOPLE that they are “heartbroken” by his “tragic” death.

“We are heartbroken by the tragic loss of our beloved son and brother. Matthew brought so much joy to the world, both as an actor and a friend,” they said. “You all meant so much to him and we appreciate the tremendous outpouring of love.”                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             

Efron stars in The Iron Claw alongside Jeremy Allen White, Harris Dickinson and Stanley Simons as the real-life sibling pro wrestlers that made up the Von Erich family.

On Wednesday night’s red carpet, Efron also chats with PEOPLE about his outlook on fame, a subject featured in the A24 film.

“I think times are changing,” Efron admits. “One thing I will say is everyone’s got a phone nowadays, so that’s an interesting part of being famous. And I think that’s what this movie’s about. The way that it was for [my character] Kevin [Von Erich], his family, it speaks to a lot of the downside, or maybe the pitfalls, of fame.”

“You have to be a warrior to get through this s—, man,” he continues. “And that’s what this story is about. I respect the heck out of guys that fall down and are able to pick themselves back up and persevere.”

The High School Musical alum adds, “I think everyone can relate to it on one level or another.”

The Iron Claw is in theaters on Dec. 22.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Source: people.com