This Early '00s Star Regrets Starring In The Movie That Made Him A Disney Heartthrob

An entire generation of fans might think Zac Efron is synonymous with "High School Musical," but that's not how he wants to be remembered. Talking about his Disney roots, which saw him explode to fame in the first "HSM" in 2006, Efron had harsh words for his teen idol self. "I step back and look at myself and I still want to kick that guy's a** sometimes. Like, f** that guy," he told Men's Fitness (now Men's Journal) in June 2016. Even though he did not come right out and say it, Efron seemed filled with regret that fans will remember him for portraying Troy Bolton in the TV films. "I know that's how people think, and it's in the back of my mind all the time," he told the outlet.  

That wasn't the only time the "Baywatch" actor looked back negatively on his teen heartthrob days. As Efron went from Disney star to bonafide Hollywood hunk, he threw shade at past projects while discussing starring in "Me and Orson Welles," a film directed by Richard Linklater. "[It was] the first time I've ever watched a movie [that I'm in] and in the end I'm like 'OK! I didn't check my watch once!'" he told Nylon Guys magazine in October 2009 (via TV Guide).

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Even as he started compiling more mature acting gigs, Efron continued to distance himself from his Disney beginnings. He skipped out on the 10-year "High School Musical" anniversary in January 2016, but plugged the special with a boilerplate post on X. Four years later, fans were furious with Efron when he didn't participate in the "Disney Family Singalong" with his "High School Musical" castmates. However, he did send along a pre-recorded message for fans. Efron even passed on a high-profile movie role because it involved a lot of dancing.

Zac Efron wanted to shed his Disney image even while he was still working on "High School Musical" movies. His first foray into portraying a more serious role was in 2008's "Me and Orson Welles," a film that Efron himself doubted he had the talent to star in. "I think it was a risk, y'know? I wasn't the easiest choice," he told The Guardian in November 2009. "I think there's better actors out there [director Richard Linklater] could have gone with," Efron added.

That was a major crossroads in Efron's career, as around the same time he had been offered the lead in the "Footloose" remake, but ultimately he believed the role was too similar to those of his teen idol days. "There were a lot of things that were lucrative and exciting but I had already been in that world, I knew I could do it, there was nothing scary," Efron told The Standard in April 2012. Moving away from a dance-oriented role had Efron discussing his next career move. "But I knew if I did that, it would ultimately be limiting. And at that point, I was really searching for something else," he told The Hollywood Reporter in April 2014 about turning down "Footloose."

Even though Efron avoided roles centered around singing and dancing, he still took on lighter acting gigs, such as the fraternity bro in 2014's "Neighbors" starring opposite Seth Rogen. Efron recalled the first time he met Rogen — before they worked together — and how the "Superbad" actor was surprised when Efron told him how much he admired him. "And he goes, 'Aw, man, I just wanted to hate you,'" Efron recalled to THR. "And I'm like, 'Seth, I get it. I don't even like myself at this point," he added.