Zac Efron Reveals the Hit Show He's Dying to Join

Zac Efron has built an impressive career by skillfully avoiding the 'teen idol' trap that followed his High School Musical fame. It would have been simple for him to keep playing roles like Troy Bolton, but he chose a different path, seeking out unusual projects to showcase his versatility.

From Teen Star to Serious Actor

He proved he had a real talent for physical comedy, delivering hilariously over-the-top performances in Neighbors and a scene-stealing part in The Disaster Artist. While there's a certain shock value in seeing a heartthrob tackle raunchy, R-rated material, Efron also showed a deep interest in more serious work.

For years, it seemed he was destined to give fantastic performances in otherwise unsuccessful films. He was brilliant in the gritty Florida crime thriller The Paperboy, but the movie was widely panned. Similarly, his portrayal of Ted Bundy in Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile was captivating, though the film itself got bogged down in controversy. He finally landed a project worthy of his talent with The Iron Claw, a powerful biopic about the tragic Von Erich wrestling family. Despite being snubbed for an Oscar nomination he clearly deserved, the role cemented his graduation from his Disney past.

The Rise of Prestige Streaming

His long career is a testament to how much the industry has changed, especially regarding the line between television and film. An appearance on a TV show might have once been seen as a step back for a movie star, but today's streaming platforms are filled with A-listers. Stars like Nicole Kidman, Matthew McConaughey, and Cate Blanchett regularly headline major series.

Among the most surprising streaming hits is Stranger Things. The show had low expectations for its first season, with few big names besides Winona Ryder. However, it quickly became a word-of-mouth sensation that grew into a global phenomenon.

A Bid for Hawkins

Given the show's enormous fanbase, it's not surprising that Efron told Vogue he would “definitely” want to make a cameo. While the series has added many famous cast members in later seasons, his request might have come a bit too late as the show is now wrapping up its fifth and final season.

The journey to the finale was long and difficult, with delays from the pandemic, SAG strikes, and scheduling conflicts. Still, it seems very unlikely that Netflix wouldn't greenlight some kind of spinoff or prequel, which could give the actor a perfect opportunity to make his bid for an appearance.