Zac Efron reacts to Matthew Perry wanting him to play his role in biopic: I'd be honoured

Zac Efron paid tribute to late actor Matthew Perry at the world premiere of The Iron Claw. He appeared devastated at the FRIENDS star's passing and expressed his gratitude for his teachings on comedic timing during the filming of their teen comedy 17 Again (2009).

Efforn said that he considered Perry his mentor and reminisced their filming days together on 17 Again set while speaking to People.

I’ve learned so much from him: Zac Efron on Matthew Perry

Speaking to People, Efron said, "I’m devastated for his loss. He was a mentor to me, and we made a really cool film together. 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."

Zac Efron on playing Matthew Perry in his biopic

Efron was the actor Perry had previously named as the one he would like to see in his biopic. When the High School Musical actor found out about this, he thanked him. "I'm honored to hear he was thinking of me to play him," said Efron, while adding, "We'll see. I'd be honored to do it."

In 17 Again, Efron played a younger Mike O'Donnell. The film's protagonist, Mike, is a 37-year-old who is unhappy with the direction his life has taken. But when he steps into a time vortex and returns to his teenage years, he's given another chance. Jim Gaffigan, Michelle Trachtenberg, Thomas Lennon and Leslie Mann also feature in the film.

Perry's legacy on FRIENDS

For ten seasons, Matthew Perry played the popular character Chandler Bing on the sitcom FRIENDS. The Whole Nine Yards (2000), Fools Rush In (1997) and Three to Tango (1999) are a few other noteworthy titles that Perry featured in.