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FIRST LOOK

First Look: Zac Efron in Linklater's Me and Orson Welles

by Alex Billington
August 21, 2008
Source: Twitch

You probably skipped passed this film in the listings for this year's Toronto Film Festival line-up. I would have missed it myself if it weren't for my affinity for filmmaker Richard Linklater. We know that he's directing the upcoming School of Rock 2, but Linklater has also been out working on a project titled Me and Orson Welles. The film tells the story of a 17-year-old boy, played by Zac Efron, who is cast in a young Orson Welles' theatrical production of "Julius Ceasar" in 1937. It's not a comedy, but I can't quite understand why Linklater, who is known for dabbling in the metaphysical, would tackle a period piece like this. Either way, we've got the first few shots of Efron in the film that premieres next month in Toronto.

Thanks to the guys over at Twitch, who we'll be joining for 10 days in Toronto, for digging these up.

Richard Linklater's Me and Orson Welles

Seventeen-year-old Richard Samuels (Zac Efron) spends his days dreaming of the bright lights of Broadway. He gets his big break when he happens upon Orson Welles (Christian McKay) and his fledgling Mercury Theatre company. Richard impresses Welles with an impromptu audition and lands a bit part in the Mercury's forthcoming run of Julius Caesar. With Welles's womanizing taking priority over rehearsals, chaos and calamity mark the production from the start. Before long, opening night has arrived and Richard will discover the terrible secrets of show business.

Me and Orson Welles is directed by Richard Linklater, of Dazed and Confused, Waking Life, Before Sunset, and A Scanner Darkly previously. The screenplay was adapted by first-time writers Holly Gent Palmo and Vincent Palmo Jr., who was a second unit director on nearly all of Linklater's films. The film is based on a novel of the same name written by Robert Kaplow. It hasn't picked up a distributor yet, but will be premiering at the Toronto Film Festival next month and is expected to hit theaters in 2009.

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http://www.michaelmadison.com Michael

Richard Linklater is one of my favorite directors. I look forward to seeing this film...but I'm not so sure about Zac Efron. I'm not sure I can sit and watch him. We'll see.....
Mario Tenorio

A period film? that was a surprise.
janet

Everything I have seen and heard of this film has just been odd. I'll be interested to see the trailer when it comes.
XXX

i said once and i'll say it again. If he plays light yagami in "death note" 2010 his brains will be shot at with sniper rifle
http://movieguyreviews4u.blogspot.com Ryan

I wonder why they are releasing it in 2009. I thought it was supposed to be an Oscar flick.
Hulk

so do we seriously have nut jobs on here threatening to kill people??!!
A Logical Person

I look forward to seeing Zac doing the role of Richard--especially the part in which he does Lucius on stage with Christian McKay as Orson Welles.
Marlena

I am NOT looking forward to seeing zac efron in this. I'm sorry, but I can't take any movie with him in a even semi-starring role serious.
athena

Y'know, before HSM series, Zac Efron has done some dramatic roles on television. I can see why he was cast in this role because he still has an innocence about him...at least that's what he can portray to his audience. I think this will be a great movie to watch...and yes, it's a period piece based on the life of a normal kid in the thirties who happens to stumble upon someone that's made an impact in his life...anything that sparks from one of the main eras when film and life was profound and strongest would be considered an era of a period piece.
megz

can't wait to see this. seems interesting. love zac's acting.