What made you decide to do this movie?

This was actually filmed before HSM3. I did this over a year ago now. It was an opportunity to play a character with heart that goes through ups and downs. It’s kind of a heroic tale about this guy who learns a very valuable lesson. It’s never too late and also it was a chance to play a 37-year-old, which took me out of high school. Although I was in high school, it didn’t feel like a high school film.

Was it hard to play a 37-year-old?

It was funny because there was so little experience that I could draw from. It must have been frustrating for the director, because it was easy for him to see where a father would come from in a situation and he would try to communicate that to me. There were just so few ways I could relate to a 37-year-old guy. A lot of stuff I’ve acted, I’ve lived. First love. Been there, done that. I’ve experienced high school and putting on plays. In Hairspray – well, that one was a little different, ha ha ha, but in this movie, I’m doing things someone twice my age has barely done yet – like get married and have a couple of kids.

Was it hard to find chemistry with an actress much older than you?

I didn’t know what it would be like. I had no idea how it would turn out. But after five minutes of talking with Leslie I had a crush on her. So that made it very easy to do.

Did you have any embarrassing moments on set?

No, I don’t think so. I’m sure if I screwed up a line or something, sure it was a little awkward, and now I’m blushing as I’m telling you this!

There’s a courtroom scene where you have to cry. Were they real tears?

Yes! I imagined what it was like. I had an advantage of filming that scene towards the end of the movie and I had developed a relationship with Leslie so we were pretty close at that point. Some of it was real. I had never done a scene like that before.

What were you like at 17?

In the first HSM I was 17 years old and that’s how I looked in my junior year of high school. There were burly kids with beards that were six foot one, who were on the football team at my high school. They looked like my dad! Then there was me. I looked like a kid – a kind of awkward, lanky, little kid. I was a bit of
a late bloomer.

Is being famous a lot of fun?

Yes, it’s great fun. I don’t know why it would be tough to enjoy going to a premiere! It’s all very exciting. Making movies is something I’ve always wanted to do. Plus I get free shoes!

Have you ever said: “Don’t you know who I am?”

No, because every time you slightly hint at it, it somehow backfires. One time, I was pulling into a car park to do press for a HSM movie. I didn’t have any cash on me whatsoever. It was like three dollars to park. I told the parking guy: “Can I come in? I’m Zac. I’m in the film.” He was like: “Absolutely not. I’ve already heard that too much today. No-one wants to pay!” People were saying they were me. He didn’t believe me and I had to go to a cash machine!

Is it hard for you to go out in public now you’re so famous?

No, I don’t have bodyguards or anything. The most that happens is that sweet girls come up to ask for an autograph. Surprisingly, it’s the over zealous parents who are the most difficult and scary. When a girl gets excited, there are only a few directions in which she can go – the main one is becoming shy. But, when parents go really crazy, they’re like: “Oh my God, I need 20 autographs, I just happen to teach kindergarten.”

When did you know you wanted to be
an actor?

I had no idea that I did. I went through high school just like all the other guys and I didn’t really have any plans for my future, but this was kind of my extracurricular activity and my hobby. Various doors opened and I went through them and I ended up where I am today!