Matthew Perry Wanted Zac Efron to Play Him in a Biopic After Filming ‘17 Again’ Together

When Matthew Perry died unexpectedly last week, he had plans for the future. One of them was reuniting with 17 Again co-star Zac Efron to make another movie. Zac would still be playing Perry, but instead of a fictional story, it would be a story about Perry's life.

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Last year, while Perry was promoting his memoir Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing, he revealed that he and Efron had almost worked together again.

"I finished a screenplay that we’re out with to some people. I want to direct that," he said during an interview on Pop Culture Spotlight With Jessica Shaw, revealing that "I wrote it for myself, and then realized I’m 20 years too old to play this."

When asked who he wanted to play the role, Perry said "Well, it was Zac Efron. But he said no."

Sadly, Perry will not be involved in the biopic if it does move forward. The actor died last Saturday of an apparent drowning, but details are still emerging.

"We are heartbroken by the tragic loss of our beloved son and brother. Matthew brought so much joy to the world, both as an actor and a friend. You all meant so much to him and we appreciate the tremendous outpouring of love," his family said in a statement to People the day after his death.