Zac Efron Broke Free of the ‘High School Musical’ Stereotype a Long Time Ago — and His Films Prove It!

The Derby Stallion (2006)

Zac made his movie debut in this film, which is about an alcoholic former horse trainer who perceives in a 15-year-old boy the unique gift of horsemanship and makes it possible for him to pursue his dream. “I assumed when I signed on for this movie that the horseback riding was all going to be done by stuntmen, which is good because I’ve never done any horseback riding,” Zac admitted. “Then the first day when I came on the set and talked to one of our producers, he said, ‘Yes, you have three lessons and you’re going to be jumping.’ I guess that really turned on my adrenaline. I started focusing 24/7 on horseback riding. They had one of the greatest teachers come in and help me.”

For his part, Zac came away with a new appreciation all of his own. “Previously,” he points out, “horses were never something I thought I’d be interested in. But the first time I got on the horse, I realized I was completely wrong. It’s a different experience, and at the same time it’s fun. It’s so thrilling and amazing to be on top of a horse.”

High School Musical (2006)

Troy (Zac) and Gabriella (Vanessa Hudgens) — two teens who are worlds apart — meet at a karaoke contest and discover their mutual love of music. The film became a phenomenon, with Zac noting, "Going into production, you could tell there was a lot of momentum behind the movie. Everyone was very enthusiastic while we made the film, which is uncharacteristic of a lot of movies. The cast and crew were very excited the whole time we were making it, and that came through on camera. I hoped it would do as well as it did, but, honestly, I don’t think any of us had such high expectations. Disney Channel movies are great for a select audience. I think that it was just luck. I think when we clicked on set, that was when I started to realize that this thing could be big.”

Hairspray (2007)

In 1960s Baltimore, heavyset dancing teen Tracy Turnblad (Nikki Blonsky) auditions for a spot on "The Corny Collins Show" and wins. She becomes an overnight celebrity, a trendsetter in dance, fun, and fashion. Perhaps her new status as a teen sensation is enough to topple Corny's reigning queen, Amber Von Tussle, and bring racial integration to the show. Zac plays Link Larkin, Amber's boyfriend and lead male dancer and singer on the show, who develops feelings for Tracy.

Zac dyed his hair black and put on about 15 pounds to play Link, whom he described as “kind of like an Elvis-y crooner. It’s a really cool character.” The movie’s director, Adam Shankman, was familiar with Zac’s work from High School Musical, but wasn’t originally sure he would be right for Link. “I was a bit dismissive,” Adam admitted, “because that film is pure Disney, and I told him I needed a more subversive energy. He worked on it, and he gave it to me. But I had no idea this Disney Channel musical was such a publicity juggernaut. It became clear to me when I was told Zac would miss rehearsals when High School Musical was launched in Europe, and [Queen Elizabeth II] requested an audience with him.”

High School Musical 2 (2007)

School's out for summer and the East High Wildcats are ready to make it the time of their lives after landing jobs at a wealthy country club owned by Sharpay and Ryan's family. “In this movie,” Zac explained, “we pick up where we left off. We had the huge finale in the last movie, where everybody was singing ‘We’re All In This Together.’ That’s how we start this movie, with the song ‘What Time Is It?’ It’s a huge sequence that moves through the whole school that you saw in the first movie. It’s really exciting and we learned it really fast. Last time it took us, like, two weeks to learn the dances, and now there’s even more dancing and we learned it in one week.”

High School Musical 3: Senior Year (2008)

The franchise dances to the big screen as Troy and Gabriella, who are now seniors in high school, struggle with the idea of being separated from one another in college. Along with the rest of the Wildcats, they stage a spring musical to address their experiences, hopes, and fears about the future. Explained Zac, "When we were filming, we took every opportunity to kind of revel in the scenes and dances, because we knew this would be the last time we were all together in this capacity, so we were soaking it up. It was a very safe, creative place for us to work in [during those] three years. And it was pretty hard to leave that behind."

Me and Orson Welles (2008)

In this one, Zac puts singing and dancing behind him as he plays Richard Samuels, a teen in 1937, who works with the late Orson Welles, cementing his reputation as the director of Citizen Kane and adapting a radio version of H.G. Wells’ The War of the Worlds (check Wikipedia for more info on both). In the film, following a sidewalk audition, Richard nabs a small part in Orson's production of Julius Caesar. While working with the Hollywood icon, he falls in love with a production assistant and learns a great deal from the auteur — until things go south between them.

17 Again (2009)

Mike O'Donnell (Matthew Perry) is unhappy with how his life turned out, but he gets a chance to rewrite everything when he tries to save a janitor near a bridge and ends up in a time vortex. Zac, who plays Mike at the age of 17, said, "It's that grand idea of being able to go back and change the whole trajectory of your life. If you went back armed with the knowledge that you have now, what decisions would you alter and what would the outcome be? I've played teenagers, but it was intriguing to think about playing a guy in his 30s. That's an area I have no familiarity with. I can relate to playing a kid — I've had a first kiss, I've had awkward dates, I've had fights with my parents. But one thing I've never done is gotten into a fight with my teenage daughter. So having no personal experience to draw on was a little intimidating, but, at the same time, it seemed like it would be a lot of fun."

Charlie St. Cloud (2010)

Zac takes on the title role in this film. When Charlie's brother Sam dies in a car crash that he survives, he's given the gift of seeing his dead sibling. But when the girl he loves is in danger, he must choose between her and his brother. When a producer handed him the script, Zac said he felt an instant connection to Charlie St. Cloud.

"There was a familiarity, a lot that I could relate to and a lot that I recognized in Charlie," he detailed. "It reminded me of the way I connect to my younger brother. I thought Charlie's relationship with Sam was real and honest, and I admired the qualities that I saw in him. I thought they were very heroic. It was interesting to step into Charlie's shoes and play a guy who's down on his luck, who feels numb and doesn't think he has much to live for. I tend to play characters who are more energetic, full of life, and dance a lot. But Charlie is very different. The role was a 180-degree change."

New Year's Eve (2011)

The lives of several couples and singles in NYC intertwine over the course of New Year's Eve, following the formula used by director Garry Marshall in films like Mother's Day, Valentine's Day, and Flag Day (we're kidding about the last one). Zac and Michelle Pfeiffer co-star in one of the segments. She plays Ingrid, who quits her job and offers Zac's character, Paul, four tickets to a New Year's Eve Ball if he helps her complete a resolution bucket list. Zac says the chance to kiss Michelle Pfeiffer was "the best part of the movie. It was kind of our idea, we really wanted to spice up the movie… in the original script, it was a little soft serve."

Liberal Arts (2012)

When 30-something Jesse (played by writer/director Josh Radnor) returns to his alma mater for a professor's retirement party, he falls for Zibby (Elizabeth Olsen), a college student. Zac has a supporting role as Nat.

"Zac has a terrific and endearing sincerity, which was essential for Nat. I had this suspicion that Zac would be really funny in the part, and my suspicion proved correct," said Josh. Zac added, "I met Josh at the Maui Film Festival in 2010, and he had not directed anything at that point. He said, ‘I’m going to direct something — if there’s a part in it for you, would you do it?’ I said 100%, as I really enjoyed spending time with him. He called and said he had a part, 'It’s a couple of days, and it’s really weird, and I’m not sure if your character is a figment of my imagination.’ I was like, ‘Dude, I’m in’. I think Liberal Arts is an amazing film. I’m not sure how I fit into it! Elizabeth Olsen is extraordinary."

The Lucky One (2012)

Zac stars as Logan, a Marine who has seemingly defied the odds during three tours of duty in Iraq. He responded to the story's interconnecting ideas of luck, love, and destiny. "That's what you hope love is, destiny," he remarked. "You want it to be meant to be. It often feels like it is. Why can't it be? And that's what's so intriguing about the story."

His preparation to play a seasoned Marine included the physical rigors of training several months prior to production with military consultant James Dever, a retired Sergeant Major who spent 25 years in the U.S. Marine Corps. He then travelled to Camp Pendleton to talk to Marines and see combat through their eyes.

Zac recalled, "When I got there, it was like stepping into a different world. They stood with a purpose. They had laser focus, never broke eye contact. This is my generation, on the front lines. They've experienced some pretty gruesome things. We sat and talked for several hours and they were the most amazing conversations I've ever had with anybody. In terms of research, it was priceless. I can't thank them enough. The stories and personal feelings they shared became part of the canvas for Logan."

At Any Price (2012)

An ambitious Iowa seed farmer (Dennis Quaid) tries to get his resentful son (Zac) interested in the family business, but the young man would rather pursue a career in auto racing. Zac told Refinery29, "There was a little bit [of nerves] in the big race scene…I couldn’t go at the speeds they were actually going — they were going 200 miles per hour. But, I did get in that car and we did laps at about 140. I have a little bit of driving experience, but they just had you jump in the car and go. By our sixth lap, I was going 140. But growing up, we did have one of those [figure-eight] race tracks. My dad used to take us out there; we would go maybe once a year, and I remember it was so loud. But, I’ll always remember going with my little bro. We saw a gnarly crash one time."

The Paperboy (2012)

Jack James, former swimming champion and current newspaper delivery boy, joins his hotshot investigative journalist brother in an effort to clear a local redneck, Hillary Van Wetter, of murdering the town sheriff. To play the naive Jack, who falls hopelessly in love with the death row convict's seductive fiancée, writer/director Lee Daniels singled in on Zac. "If all you know him from is High School Musical, he seems like an unexpected choice," Lee said. "But I saw Zac in a movie called Me and Orson Welles and I recognized something very different in him. He is so right for this part."

Zac was drawn to the quality of the script and the unusual nature of the story. "My initial reaction was simply 'Wow,'" he said. "The story was intense and the ending blew me away. It's a big journey for a young man. It goes to some very dark, twisted places and some very funny places, too."

Parkland (2013)

This film weaves together the perspectives of a handful of ordinary individuals suddenly thrust into extraordinary circumstances during the chaotic events that occurred at Dallas' Parkland Hospital on the day President John F. Kennedy was assassinated. Zac plays Dr. Charles James "Jim" Carrico.

That Awkward Moment (2014)

Best pals (played by Zac, Miles Teller, and Michael B. Jordan) celebrate their carefree, unattached lives, and when they suddenly find themselves in serious relationships, they feel a need to hide it from each other. "The story allows guys to see their side of the situation and it gives girls a new perspective on relationships," Zac said. "And we all get a chance to laugh at ourselves and our friends in the bargain. I thought it was a really unique idea."

Neighbors (2014)

After a couple (Seth Rogen and Rose Byrne) is forced to live next to a fraternity house, they do whatever they can to take them down. Zac plays one of the fraternity's leaders. A fan of Seth's style of comedy, Zac was excited about the possibility of doing a project together. He shared, "Seth is a comic genius, so when he called me to ask about meeting, I was stoked. I usually try not to talk about potential movies — I'm superstitious that way — but I was too excited about this. I was on the phone with my mom, dad, brother, and friends before I even heard the pitch.

He was also enthusiastic about the opportunity to break into a new genre and surprise audiences with a raunchier side. "I've never had the chance to be in an 'R'-rated comedy," he said, "and the only way I would dare to do it was with people that I trusted. These guys are hands down some of the best in comedy right now."

We Are Your Friends (2015)

Caught between a forbidden romance and the expectations of his friends, aspiring DJ Cole Carter attempts to find a path in life that leads to fame and fortune. Talking to Torontoparadise.com, Zac explained, "I had a DJ train me, his name is Ben James. We had a crash course, DJ 101, and I learned how to use the decks to the best of my abilities and over the course of the movie, I learned the style to make it look cool. It’s not just twisting knobs, it’s actually just BOOM — like really twisting knobs. It became really fun and I’d say I’m proficient at it and good at acting it, but I wouldn’t call myself a DJ just yet!"

Dirty Grandpa (2016)

Right before his wedding, an uptight guy (Zac) is tricked into driving his grandfather, a lecherous former Army Lieutenant Colonel (Robert De Niro), to Florida for Spring Break. Zac found the script shocking, smart, and hilarious, and was all-in, particularly when presented with the possibility of working with Robert. “It’s every guy’s dream to work with Bob De Niro,” he said. “I was really curious how we would work together. He’s been doing this for so long, he’s such an icon, yet I don’t think I’ve ever seen him do a role like this. The day I heard this could potentially happen, every antenna went up. It was like, ‘Could I even work with this guy?’ Our histories are so different! There’s Robert De Niro, Taxi Driver, and then there’s me, High School Musical! Being such a big fan, it was an opportunity to learn from one of the absolute greatest actors that’s ever lived. He’s such a presence on camera — formidable and dramatic and real — that when he applies all those talents and skill to comedy, the screen just blows up."

Neighbors 2: Sorority Rising (2016)

When their new next door neighbors turn out to be a sorority even worse than the fraternity that previously lived there, Mac and Kelly team up with former enemy Teddy (Zac) to bring the girls down. "Teddy is in somewhat of a fragile state," explained Zac. "He is on the brink of a new phase of life and is having a quarter-life crisis. All his old Delta Psi brothers have gone on and accomplished things, and he is stagnant and not progressing in the world."

Mike and Dave Need Wedding Dates (2016)

Two hard-partying brothers — Zac as Dave and Adam Devine as Mike — place an online ad to find the perfect dates for their sister's Hawaiian wedding. The boys instead get out-hustled by an uncontrollable duo. "Dave is very much the younger brother and follows Mike's lead," said Zac. "But as Mike starts to lose his mind over Tatiana (Aubrey Plaza), the roles of the two guys are reversed, and Dave has to take charge and be the big brother." Whatever their differences, Mike and Dave are tight. "They have a symbiotic relationship," Zac pointed out. "They can't exist without one another. They're as much best friends as they are brothers."

Baywatch (2017)

Devoted lifeguard Mitch Buchannon (Dwayne Johnson) butts heads with a brash new recruit (Zac) as they uncover a criminal plot that threatens the future of the bay. Speaking to EW.com, Zac enthusiastically explained, "The project just sounded awesome, I’ve always loved The Rock, and I knew about Baywatch. It seemed like something that would be very fun to redo and to amp up. Baywatch seemed like it needed its turn to grow, and we had an opportunity to make it more fun, give it more edge, and make a fun summer movie… It was exciting to be a part of this team. It’s a great escape, and it’s just friggin’ hilarious. It’s like a high five from the summer!"

The Greatest Showman (2017)

Inspired by the imagination of P. T. Barnum, this is an original musical that celebrates the birth of show business and tells the tale of a visionary who rose from nothing to create a spectacle that became a worldwide sensation. Hugh Jackman plays P.T. Barnum and Zac plays Phillip Carlyle. The film will be released on Dec. 20.