17 Again

Zac Efron's making his first foray into the world of "serious acting" next month when his new movie Me and Orson Welles comes out, and apparently he's happy with the results.

He told Nylon for Guys as much. He says: "It’s 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!'"

Nothing says, “I love you, Zac,” quite like a swine flu mask.

Zac Efron was greeted by hundreds of fans in Tokyo when he arrived to promote his film 17 Again.

Zac-y Pooh was delayed for an hour inside the terminal as passengers arriving from Los Angeles were inspected for swine flu.

How awesome is it that those masks are both utilitarian and stalkerish?

—Sasha Perl-Raver

“What can I say? I’m just that good.”

Zac Efron attended the German premiere of 17 Again in Berlin on Sunday and we have to say, we’re shocked that that wee barricade is holding that rabid crowd back. What’s going on with the kid in the background who looks like he's bodysurfing the crowd?

During his appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live last week, Zac-y Pooh was comparing his worldwide fans and said, “Germany is always the loudest. They’re absolutely insane. Premieres, everybody just goes nuts.”

Zac Efron has officially proven he is a bankable movie star.

His entre into the world of leading man-dom, 17 Again, exceeded industry expectations this weekend, taking in an estimated $24.1 million.

And that’s just the opening weekend.

Here’s to Zac-y Pooh, the new king of the world.

—Sasha Perl-Raver

Hot, sweaty, shirtless Zac Efron.

Thus begins 17 Again, Zac Efron’s coming out party as a leading man.

It takes the opening of High School Musical 3 and kicks it up the notches necessary to ratchet Efron’s stardom from the tween set to the Cougar den.

17 Again, written by Jason Filardi (Bringing Down the House) and directed by Burr Steers (Igby Goes Down), follows a genre both beloved and familiar to children of the 80s.

In their new film, 17 Again, Zac Efron and his co-star, Reno 911’s Thomas Lennon, have a lengthy and athletic light saber battle.

We asked how they prepared for the fight:

Thomas Lennon: The stunt coordinator was a very intense guy.

Zac Efron: (laughing) He took it VERY seriously.

“If I only knew then what I know now.”

From that simple cliché, 17 Again, a film many people are heralding as Zac Efron’s coming out party as a leading man, was born.

"He came in and auditioned for Hairspray and I was like whatever, ok, no, pass, Disney, yuck. But he does have something, truly the "It Factor" that is so high wattage. I personally don’t get it, because he is like my younger brother."

"He changes energy in a room when he walks in. People react differently. [My sister's] daughter, 4-year-old daughter literally melts, can’t be in the same room with him or her eyes start to turn weird. I have never seen anything like it in my life."

Zac Efron in the Idol house to promote 17 Again?!?!

This just became the best episode of American Idol ever.

But down to the nitty gritty.

No surprise, Anoop is the first Idol sent to the bottom three.

Before anyone can join him, Jennifer Hudson took the Idol stage, giving all of her fellow eliminated contestants hope. She’s won an Oscar, a Golden Globe and a Grammy since she was sent on her merry way during the third season of Idol. Suck on that, Simon.

Joining Anoop in the bottom, Lil Rounds, also not a shock.

Zac Efron and his girlfriend Vanessa Hudgens arrived at last night’s premiere of 17 Again at Grauman’s Chinese Theater in Hollywood. 

Also there to support Zac-y Pooh were his High School Musical co-stars Monique Coleman, Olesya Rulin and Corbin Bleu, as well as the Jonas Brothers and his Hairspray co-star, an Vanessa’s good friend, Brittany Snow.

Is the Disney Posse Hollywood’s new Brat Pack?

Only they’re not bratty, drunken d-bags; they’re well-behaved, driven, articulate role models.

And we like it.