Red Carpet Video Interview: Zac Efron and Christian McKay (ME AND ORSON WELLES)
From director Richard Linklater (SCHOOL OF ROCK, DAZED AND CONFUSED), ME AND ORSON WELLES tells the semi-true story of the Mercury Theater’s unconventional production of William Shakespeare’s CAESAR, directed by and starring a young Orson Welles – portrayed pitch-perfectly by regarded thespian turned actor Christian McKay. Enter young Richard – Zac Efron in his first grown-up role – a high school student that dreams of something bigger. Welles instantly takes a liking to the boy, casting him in the play. But Richard soon learns why Welles, even his younger years, has the notorious reputation and overbearing presence he does. Because he is Orson Welles, of course!
We recently got the chance to talk with both McKay (pronounced Mc-Kai) and Efron while in Austin for the film’s premiere. McKay could not be more excited and giddy to make the move up to feature film and he expresses it with every word, said in his very esteemed British actour tone. The man is a 100% class act all the way and feels as if he was plucked from old Hollywood, with the likes of Laurence Olivier and Welles himself. STAR WARS fans will definitely want to check this one out to hear McKay do an all too perfect impression of a certain classic British actor/Jedi Knight that he shares an infinity for.
As for Efron, the same could be said for the boy wonder in the area of class. Never have I met a more confident yet humble actor that also happens to be so young. Efron’s role in the film parallels that of the current state of his career, as a hungry young actor with the desire to take the world by storm in any and every way he can. Being that this is Efron’s graduation, so to speak, from the world of HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL and other younger fare, it was a true delight to talk to him at the turning point in his career from idol to actor. All eyes are on Efron…that is for sure and there is a good reason for it. As Welles might say, “kid, you’re gonna go far in this town!”
Check out our interview where we talk to Zac about making the challenges of making that transition, what it was about ME AND ORSON WELLES that drew him out of the teen genre and where he wants to go from here in his very promising career.
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