After the death of iconic Friends star Matthew Perry last month, a few people, who knew him well, opened up about some of the plans that he had in mind for his career.
One of those big ideas involved making a movie about his life. Perry had someone specific in mind for the lead role in the biopic. The Odd Couple actor had his mind set on his 17 Again co-star Zac Efron for the part.
Athenna Crosby, a friend who went to dinner with Perry the day before he passed away, is the one who made the big revelation in an interview.
The entertainment journalist told Entertainment Tonight: “[Perry] said that he wanted to make a movie about his life. He had worked with Zac Efron in the past on a movie, and he said that he wanted Zac Efron to play him as a younger version [of himself] and that he was gonna ask him soon to do that. He was just looking forward to sharing more about his story and his recovery from addiction, and really championing that cause to help more people, so he was so optimistic and happy about everything that he wanted to do.”
Efron, 36, was asked for his thoughts on the idea and showed a lot of interest in such a project. The Iron Claw shared: “I heard that, it’s a huge honor. To think he was thinking of me for that role, I mean I would be honored to do it, to be honest.”
The talented actor also took a moment to say a few words about Perry, the man: “Matthew is, you know, the best guy in the world. I had the best time of my life working with him.”
The High School Musical star had previously described Perry as a “mentor.” He said to 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 across and have him be there, because I’ve learned so much from him, from his whole life.”
Efron received a Kids’ Choice Awards Kids’ Choice Awards nomination for the performance. Perry, who battled addiction for a good portion of his life, was found in a hot tub at his home in Los Angeles on October 28.
His memoir, Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing, revealed harrowing details about his life in the spotlight. There is no official cause of death as yet.
The Iron Claw, which covers the true story of wrestling legends Von Erich brothers (Kevin and Kerry), will be out on December 22.
