Zac “Me and Orson Wells”. RIP Heath Ledger.

Zac Efron, the closest thing to a teen heartthrob we have in 2008, is set to take on the lead role in the movie version of Robert Kaplow’s novel, Me and Orson Welles. Richard Linklater (A Scanner Darkly) will helm the film from a screenplay adapted by Holly Gent Palmo. Efron will play a New Jersey high school student in 1937 who has a random encounter with Orson Welles that leads to his being cast in a bit part in Julius Caesar. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Christian McKay will star as Welles.

Zac Efron is part of the High School Musical ensemble and was most recently seen on the big screen in the hit musical Hairspray. Efron’s currently filming Seventeen with Matthew Perry and Leslie Mann. The popular young actor also has a starring role in a musical version of Footloose in the works.

BTW - My heart goes out to Heath Ledger’s family/friends.. he passed away earlier today. He was a star of Brokeback Mountain and the upcomming Batman movie.. he will be missed. This is so sad.. RIP.