"Eventually I'll be getting to adult-adult [entertainment], for real. But baby steps," the actor deadpans.
Don't fret, Efronistas. He's only kidding. Efron (22) remains his wholesome, hunky self. But the actor with the gleaming blue eyes and immaculately spiked hair, who broke through as studly basketball captain Troy Bolton in Disney's High School Musical trilogy, is scoring more mature roles.
Charlie St. Cloud is a family flick starring Efron as a sailing prodigy with a scholarship to Stanford whose future collapses amid the accidental death of his beloved younger brother. And the film, which deals with debilitating isolation and loss, has nary a musical number, which is one of the reasons the project resonated with Efron.
"It seemed like someone I could play. There were a lot of scripts I was getting with guys that were too cool, you know? Not only am I not that person, why would I pretend to be that person?", Efron says.
"Charlie was a character I felt I could bring something to. Having a little brother, having goals and aspirations, loving sports, all that kind of stuff just made sense to me. For me, a huge part of my life is family, my mom and dad and brother. Charlie St. Cloud was a chance for me to dream and say, 'What if I didn't have that?'."
If that sounds thoughtful, it is. Efron is methodical about planning his on-screen evolution from teen heartthrob to serious actor, a la his acquaintance Leonardo DiCaprio. So far, he has opted for gradual gravitas in his roles.
"It's all about the progression," Efron says.
Efron has been meticulous about laying the foundation for his post-Disney choices, starring in a musical (2007's Hairspray), a little-seen but pedigreed drama (2008's Me and Orson Welles) and a rom-com romp (2009's 17 Again).
Critics took note. Welles, according to Rolling Stone's Peter Travers, "proves Zac Efron can act," and The New Yorker's David Denby called him "surprisingly winning" in it.
To those who have worked with Efron, his talent is old news.
"I was so struck by his earnestness and willingness to grow. He's almost weirdly unassuming and grounded," says his Welles co-star Claire Danes.
"I quickly realised how gifted he is. He's actually a really fine actor ... ." Efron is a blend of circumspection and boyishness. He carefully discusses film choices and weighs the appeal of characters. But he also loves video games and admits he spends a lot on iPhones to replace ones he breaks. Efron is pursuing the kinds of roles that will, he hopes, ensure career longevity.
"Everybody is taking him seriously. He's the real deal. No matter how much of a hater you are, he's there. There's no argument," says Burr Steers, who directed Efron in 17 Again and Charlie St. Cloud.
"The thing for him is to keep on challenging himself. People will be advising him to play it safe. He's scratched the surface of his talent. It's about working with really good people and taking chances and getting better."