–Zac Efron recently answered 10 questions from fans sent in to Time Magazine. The star talks about his new movie, Me & Orson Welles, Broadway, action movies and even how he gets his hair to look good.
How is Me and Orson Welles different from the other projects you have worked on? -Julie Sephora, NEW YORK CITY
It’s sort of a coming-of-age story for my character, but it’s also a week in the life of Orson Welles, this amazing American icon. There are a lot of tough people in Hollywood, but there’s no one quite like Orson. He was a genius and should forever be remembered like that. I think one of the reasons this movie was so exciting to make was to reveal to everybody how amazing this guy was.
What factors do you consider when accepting a movie project? -Grace Guevara, ONTARIO, CANADA
Would I go watch this movie? That’s probably the first thing I think about. The second is, What’s the challenge? What’s the risk? I think the risk for me in this role is that it doesn’t really rely on anything I’ve used in the past. There wasn’t a particular skill set I could fall back on, like singing or dancing or basketball. So I was forced to grow in other areas. The other actors in the movie are all incredibly accomplished, and I didn’t want to disappoint.
Do you have a strategy for getting more mature roles? Claire Young, NISKAYUNA, N.Y.
To be honest, I’ve never really had any strategy at all. I don’t really work that way. I know that when I see a role and it speaks to me, I’m drawn to it and I have to go that direction. But there’s no master game plan.
Looking to more seasoned actors, whose career would you most like to emulate? Karsten W.N. Kurze, BAD HONNEF, GERMANY
I think Leonardo DiCaprio’s done a great job. I was dead set against the guy when I was growing up, kind of force-fed his image from Titanic. Since then, through very hard work and incredible performances, he’s done a complete 180. Now he’s one of my favorite actors. He’s at the top of his game.
If you could take away your fame for just one day, how would you spend that day? Jess Debicki, LONDON
I would do something like–I was going to say “go to Disneyland.” I’m not going to say “go to Disneyland,” even though that would be pretty fun. I’d probably just get lost for a day and have no agenda. Just see where the world takes me.
What is the most normal thing about your life? Christine Lim, PITTSBURGH, PA.
I’m doing the same things as my friends in college–working, studying, trying to have fun whenever possible but usually getting pulled back into work. It’s really normal for the most part, other than having to talk about how it’s normal.
Do you have any intention of going to college? Emily Hansen, SANDS POINT, N.Y.
I can’t say for certain right now. I know at some point I will go back and study, but at this point I’m definitely focusing on working as hard as I can on film.
Any interest in tackling Broadway? Matthew Farina, NEW FAIRFIELD, CONN.
I’ve always wanted to. Finding that right role is a challenge. I wouldn’t want to just do it to do it. I would want to make sure it’s something special.
Is there any chance you will try action movies? Angela Bohn, ZANESVILLE, OHIO
I would love to try an action film at some point, but not too soon. I think that can be a kiss of death. There’s got to be a real role that I can bring something unique and specific to, a way for me to do it believably. Until then, I think it would just come across as weird.
How do you keep your hair looking so great all the time? Jennifer Cheng, FREEHOLD, N.J.
I’ve never told anyone this before. This is a hair scoop. Shower before you go to bed, and then sleep on your wet hair. Towel-dry it. In the morning, it’s all messed up naturally. If you have that messed-up thing going when you wake up, it’s more willing to stay that way. That’s Zac’s hair tip.
