In a touching revelation, Zac Efron has expressed his deep sense of honor at the prospect of portraying the late Matthew Perry in a future biopic. Perry, who had previously conveyed his desire for Efron to embody his character in such a film, is remembered fondly by Efron in the wake of Perry’s sudden demise.
Speaking on the red carpet during the world premiere of his latest film, The Iron Claw, in Dallas, Texas, on November 8, Efron shared his openness to taking on the role if a biopic about Perry’s life comes to fruition. The sentiment reciprocates Perry’s earlier expressed wish for Efron to step into his shoes.
Reflecting on their collaboration in the film 17 Again, Efron revealed the profound impact Perry had on him, describing the late actor as a mentor. Efron expressed his gratitude, stating, “I’m honored to hear he was thinking of me to play him,” while also expressing his devastation at Perry’s tragic passing.
Perry’s aspiration to have a movie made about his life was revealed by his friend Athenna Crosby, who shared Perry’s vision of having Efron play a younger version of himself in the film. Crosby highlighted Perry’s optimism and enthusiasm for sharing his story of recovery from addiction to inspire and support others.
The untimely death of Perry, marked by an apparent drowning on October 28, has left a void in the entertainment world. The Friends’ co-stars and family members paid their respects at Forest Lawn Church of the Hills in Los Angeles, where Perry’s funeral service is believed to have taken place on October 3.
Attending in solidarity, Jennifer Aniston, Lisa Kudrow, Courteney Cox, David Schwimmer, and Matt LeBlanc, along with other castmates, were seen dressed in black. Perry’s father, John Bennett Perry, and stepfather, Keith Morrison, were spotted outdoors at the cemetery, situated opposite the Warner Bros studios where Friends was filmed for a decade.
