Zac Efron’s comments that he is open to returning to the Disney property for a reboot generated controversy among ‘High School Musical’ fans.
The 34-year-old said “of course” when asked if he would be interested during an interview with E! News.
“To have the opportunity to go back and work with that team in any way would be incredible,” the “Firestarter” actor remarked. “My heart hasn’t changed. That would be fantastic. I sincerely hope it occurs.”
During his press tour for the new Blumhouse horror film “Firestarter,” based on the Stephen King novel of the same name, Efron expressed interest in a “High School Musical” reboot.
The novel was famously made into a horror film starring a teenage Drew Barrymore in 1984. Efron stars alongside Ryan Kiera Armstrong and Sydney Lemmon in the latest adaptation.
In 2006, the Disney Channel premiered the TV movie “High School Musical,” which was followed by a sequel in 2007. “High School Musical 3: Senior Year,” a third film, was released in theaters in 2008.
In addition, during an exclusive interview with E! News’ Daily Pop about the upcoming film, the actor revealed that if given the chance to reunite with the cast and crew of High School Musical, he would gladly don his Wildcats jersey.
“Since my heart is still there, that would be fantastic. I truly hope it happens.” He indicated interest in a future reunion after missing the movie’s 10th anniversary special on Disney Channel in 2016. “And I feel that everyone would appreciate the opportunity to participate. I’ll do everything I can to keep them on track.”
Efron has come a long way since his portrayal as Troy in the musical trilogy. He plays the father of Ryan Kiera Armstrong’s Charlie in Firestarter, an adaptation of the legendary 1984 Stephen King horror film featuring a young Drew Barrymore.
Efron said he had no aspirations to become a father in real life anytime soon when asked.
“We’ll see when we get there,” Efron said. “Of course, I’d like to be a father eventually,” she says, “but I’m not sure that seeing the film has made me want to do so any sooner.” To avoid insulting his co-star, he told Armstrong, “You were fantastic, Ryan, but I had a little more time to wait.”