Zac Efron initially found '17 Again' role intimidating

Melbourne, Apr 9 (ANI): High School Musical star Zac Efron has revealed about his new movie '17 Again' and the role he plays in it.

For Efron, 21, the movie was at first a little intimidating, especially when he had to be a 37-year-old man in a 17-year-old boy's body.

"Truthfully, in 17 Again, although it takes place in a high school setting, the character is very removed from a high school," the Daily Telegraph quoted him as saying.

The film tells the story of Mike O'Donnell (Matthew Perry), a 37-year-old who falls into a river during a mid-life crisis and is transformed into his 17-year-old self (played by Efron).

"Adam Shankman, who directed me in Hairspray, came up with the idea and he asked me about it," Efron said.

"I was intimidated at first - I didn't know what to think. I was scared to play a 37-year-old guy who's pretending to be a 17-year-old because it was confusing.

"I couldn't even wrap my own mind around it. It wasn't just another high school romance," he stated.

Efron was not exaggerating about the romance either, as his character had to dodge the advances of his own daughter while trying to woo his estranged wife Scarlet (Leslie Mann), who can't work out why she's drawn to a 17-year-old and finds it quite creepy.

The young actor was initially daunted at the prospect of romancing Mann, but as the film rolled he found it easier.

"On paper I was," he said.

"But when it actually happened, when we actually started filming, the closer I got to Leslie the easier it was. It felt very natural.

"I think I definitely have a crush on Leslie. She's very sweet, very pretty and her personality shines," he added. (ANI)