Zac Efron Wants to Be Taken Seriously

Zac Efron's stock has been on the rise in the past year; and while his fame is due to his starring role in the "High School Musical" movies, Efron wants to get serious. Part of that process involves separating himself from the Disney image of a heartthrob tweener.

The first step toward that goal for Efron was dropping out of the "Footloose" remake. In its place, he has taken on the leading role in an untitled project described as a "sexy thriller." The word sexy may well be intended to help the young front man shed that perception, and likely indicates the film will be a movie for adults and not his usual demographic. However, the description is also part of the production's desire to keep the film's plot a secret.

While the film doesn't have a director on board, Leslie Dixon is set to write the script, which is good news for Efron, who worked with her on "Hairspray." Dixon also wrote the "Thomas Crown Affair" remake in 1999, bringing to mind all sorts of possibilities for the new mature version of Mr. Efron.

Not only will the young actor be starring in the Mandate Pictures' film, but he will also make his producing debut alongside Nathane Kahane.

Efron has also signed on for "The Death and Life of Charlie St. Cloud," which is based on the book by Ben Sherwood. Director Bur Steers has the script in place and will begin production of the film, which tells of a caretaker in a cemetery who feels guilt over his brother's accidental death, in July.

"Me and Orson Welles" is another serious title that fans will get to see Efron appear in sometime this year.The man who once played a boy in the "HSM" series is truly breaking out as his own leading man. His latest release, "17 Again," proved a certain amount of drawing power by taking in $63 million domestically.