Zac Efron is taking a leap from his romantic comedy and indie roots to star in the new Warner Bros. supernatural thriller The Falling.

The former Disney heartthrob is teaming up with Academy Award winning writer/producer/director Akiva Goldsman (Beautiful Mind, I Am Legend), in a cinematic departure from past teeny-bopper rom-coms like High School Musical and 17 Again. And word on the street is that Efron will also get a producing credit on the film.

And while details are scant — which just makes us all the more curious — we do know that the movie, which is in the very early stages of production, is being described as an “edgy thriller centering around an otherworldly being,” according to The Hollywood Reporter. And we can only hope that Efron is that other-wordly being.

The 25-year-old The Lucky One star stepped out of his comfort zone last fall, playing a sexually-charged paperboy, in well, The Paperboy alongside Nicole Kidman, but The Falling will mark his first lead role in a big studio thriller.

Are you guys excited to see Efron all grown up in this thriller? Do you wish he would stay in rom-coms, or are you pumped to see a little action from the former teen hunk?

See Vanessa Hudgens. See Vanessa Hudgens run. Run, Vanessa Hudgens, run!

Clad in a grimy pair of short-shorts and a tight tank top, the former High School Musical beauty broke into a sprint while filming the upcoming Journey to the Center of the Earth 3D sequel Journey 2: The Mysterious Island in Hawaii on Tuesday. Taking advantage of the tropical environment, V-Hudge rolled around in the sand when she wasn’t dashing about, making a mess of her wardrobe.

Hit up the photo gallery to see Hudgens get dirty on set. And make sure to check out Celebuzz’s Actors on Set gallery for more pics of famous folks earning their paychecks.

To millions of young women worldwide, Zac Efron is the very picture of physical perfection. But don’t tell him that.

The Charlie St. Cloud heartthrob recently revealed that he has trouble watching himself onscreen, because of all of the imperfections he perceives in himself. Says Efron, who turns 23 on Monday,

“What do I think when I watch myself on screen? ‘My head is huge!’ I pick out every single flaw or thing I should have done better…I cringe at first, but years down the road I’ll be able to look back and appreciate what I’ve done—sometimes.”

If Efron really thinks his head is that big, perhaps it wasn’t so prudent of him to grow that facial hair of his, which only adds to the mass of his noggin.

What say you, readers? Is Zac’s head too big, or just big enough? Sound off in the comments section.

Former High School Musical beauty Vanessa Hudgens took a break from her busy career to go on a shopping expedition in Santa Monica with a pal on Tuesday. Among Hudgie Bear’s purchases? A photo-friendly printer. Home electronics upgrade? Or perhaps a present for her boyfriend, Zac Efron, who turns 23 on Monday, perhaps?

Either way, have fun with your new toy, Hudgens. 

Hit up the photo gallery to see more of Vanessa getting her shop on. And make sure to drop by Paparazzi-Razzi for more pics of famous folks doing intriguing things.

Zac Efron has finally gotten that unruly mane of his under control—and it looks like all it took was half a gallon or so of hair gel.

Former High School Musical hunk Efron rocks a decidedly ’50s ‘do and a black leather jacket on the cover of the latest issue of Wonderland magazine, which hits newsstands in the UK on September 9, followed by an American release three weeks later as an iPhone app.

Does the one-time Disney heartthrob—whose most recent big-screen bid, Charlie St. Cloud, failed to ignite the box office—hope that channeling James Dean will add some heft to his movie career? Or is he simply working out a Fonzie fetish from his childhood?

What do you think of Zac’s retro look? Render your verdict in the comments section.

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BUZZINGS: More Celeb Goodness

• Spencer Pratt’s Bluff Called? — The Superficial

• A Chat With Jackson Rathbone– BuzzNet

• Rolling Stone Photoshop Disaster — BuzzFeed

Is the world ready to accept Zac Efron as a thief? Besides, you know, stealing the hearts of girls everywhere?

Hopefully so, because Variety (via Digital Spy) reports that the former High School Musical hunk is set to star in a new thriller, Art of the Steal. Efron will play a seemingly ordinary guy (which will be a stretch for him in itself) who, unbeknownst to those around him, is actually a con man who plans and executes elaborate heists. The project, based on a Wired magazine article, will be co-produced by Efron and is set for tentative release in 2013.

The 22-year-old is going to be a busy guy in coming months. He’s also slated to star in the war drama The Lucky One (based on a novel by Nicholas Sparks) and the action drama Die in a Gunfight.

Do you think that Efron will eventually be able to shake his High School Musical image and develop into a bona fide movie star? Share your thoughts in the comments section.

» Follow Celebuzz on Twitter | Facebook

BUZZINGS: More Celeb Goodness

• Spencer Pratt’s Bluff Called? — The Superficial

• A Chat With Jackson Rathbone– BuzzNet

• Rolling Stone Photoshop Disaster — BuzzFeed

In a world where Young Hollywood couples don’t last longer than a Disney Channel film, Vanessa Hudgens and boyfriend Zac Efron have become an anomaly by sticking together for many years.

Vanessa and Zac have been dating since 2005 when the two met while auditioning for High School Musical. According to Vanessa, getting together before both of their careers took off has helped the young couple stay together:

We got lucky because we started off together, so I think people like us because they fell in love with our characters. Right off the bat, we had a connection. I think everybody could see it. When we had our audition, they paired us together. And he was adorable. I mean, he wasn’t the guy that he is today. Like, he had a gap in his teeth. He was a whole different person.

Well, it is good that Vanessa stuck with Zac during his awkward phase because he quickly transformed into a megastud.

Poor Ashley Tisdale. The High School Musical fave is currently filming her next starring vehicle, High Stakes (also known as Sharpay’s Fabulous Adventure), but she doesn’t look too happy about it.

Maybe she’s bummed out about Trace Cyrus‘ stinging Twitter attack on her character?

Click through the photo gallery and let us know in the comments section: What you you think The Tiz is so bummed about?

And make sure to hit up Paparazzi-Razzi for more awesome pics of your favorite celebs doing what they do.

Uh oh, we smell a Disney feud brewing…

Miley Cyrus‘ rock star brother, Trace Cyrus reportedly has a beef with High School Musical star Ashley Tisdale.

The tattooed Cyrus proclaimed on Twitter that Ashley is “the worst person I’ve met in my life.” From his Twitter (via oceanUP):

I’ve met and know a bunch of celebrities. By for [sic] the worst person I’ve met in my life is Ashley Tisdale.

I’ve never had someone who doesn’t know me AT ALL make up so many rumors and bulls**t about me. You don’t even know me b***h.

After his outburst, Trace then goes on to say that “God took me by the hand, told me not to be afraid.” Because calling women derogatory terms should always be followed with a mention of God.

Trace didn’t elaborate on what prompted his outburst against Ashley but maybe Ashley’s buddy-buddy relationship with Cyrus family enemy Perez Hilton had something to do with it: shortly before Trace launched his tweet-rage, Ashley posted a tweet to Perez saying, “can’t wait! xoxo.” Maybe Trace was simply defending his sister’s honor?

Who’s side are you on: Team Ashley or Team Trace?

Vanessa Hudgens doesn’t want to piss off vampire fans.

The 21-year-old High School Musical actress recently turned down a role in a movie version of the hit TV show Buffy the Vampire Slayer because she felt that vampire fans might get a little angry if she stars in a film where her main role is driving a wooden stake through their hearts. From Hollyscoop:

She felt that with Twlight still so massive Buffy would not be the best option right now [...] The idea was to have [Sarah Michelle Geller, star of the WB series] back but with Vanessa as a fresh, new character. The project has been shelved for now.

Maybe it is best that Vanessa sits out the vampire trend since Twilight will surely “Eclipse” (okay, bad joke) any new vampire films. However, rabid Buffy fans might be a little hurt to find out that Vanessa squashed their chances at seeing Buffy again.

Do you think it is a good idea for Vanessa to pass on Buffy?

Apparently, disproportionately-sized couples are all the rage among the show-biz crowd these days.

While Hayden Panettiere and her ginormous BF Wladimir Klitschko might be the reigning king and queen of the trend, High School Musical sweetheart Ashley Tisdale and her beau Scott Speer put in a strong showing while out on a date at Beso in Hollywood on Tuesday.

Now if one of the Olsen Twins will just hook up with Shaq, we’ll have a real competition on our hands.

Click through the photo gallery to check out the long and short of it. And for even more pics of fabulously awesome famous folks, hit up Paparazzi-Razzi.

Ashley Tisdale takes her retail therapy very seriously.

The High School Musical beauty was spotted on a shopping spree in West Hollywood on Thursday, sporting her newly darkened locks and an imposing load of booty from her boutique-plundering expedition.

Let’s all giver her a hand—because it looks like she could use one—and marvel at her shopping prowess in the photo gallery.

And for more pics of your fave celebs out and about, make sure to check out Paparazzi-Razzi.

Vanessa Hudgens is ready to give the world another song-and-dance routine. But this one is going to run a little darker and deeper than the typical Disney joint.

The High School Musical sweetheart has signed on for a production of the Tony Award-winning musical Rent, which will run August 6-8 at the legendary Hollywood Bowl and will be directed by How I Met Your Mother star/awards-show standby Neil Patrick Harris.

In a bold new career turn, Hudgie Bear will play HIV-positive, drug-addicted S&M dancer Mimi Marquez.

While it remains to be seen how Hudgens will fare in the role, Harris gushed over her talents in a statement, noting,

“She came in for a work session, and I must say, Vanessa really impressed. She looks amazing, has great vocal chops and seems really committed to honoring the somewhat iconic role of Mimi. I look forward to audiences seeing a dark, edgy and very different side of Vanessa Hudgens this August.”

Do you think the world is ready for a whole new Vanessa Hudgens? Share your predictions in the comments section.

Looking sharp there, daddy-o!

High School Musical heartthrob Zac Efron emerged from a private shopping spree at the Oakley Surf Store in Sydney on Monday, sporting a soul patch and a pair of shades in a blatant effort to get in on the Maynard G. Krebs look that’s so popular with all the cool kids these days.

We just hope he doesn’t strip down and start spouting poetry while pounding on a pair of bongos next. Because that’s Matthew McConaughey‘s thing, and he really doesn’t like it when people muscle in on his territory.

What do you think of Zac Efron’s new look—way hip, or strictly L-7? We know you have an opinion on this one, so drop it in the comments section. After you’ve examined the evidence, of course.

Ready for a lot more Zac Efron in your local cineplex? We hope so, because the High School Musical heartthrob is about to take over the movie industry in a veritable tsunami of hunky goodness.

Deadline Hollywood reports that Studly McDreamboat—who’s already signed on for a big-screen adaptation of classic cartoon Jonny Quest—has just picked up two new projects in a further bid to shed his squeaky-clean HSM image. The first, an adaptation of the graphic novel Fire, will find the 22-year-old playing a college student who’s recruited by the CIA, only to find that he’s being trained for a program that creates expendable agents. The second film, which is a combination of two previously existing projects, will be “a Back to the Future-like” affair. Please, tell us there’ll be a DeLorean attached to a flux capacitor involved!

Does Zac have what it takes to make the jump to serious leading man? Time will tell, but don’t let that stop you from rendering your verdict in the comments section now!

The upcoming Footloose remake seems to be losing some major street cred.

First, High School Musical star Zac Efron dropped out of the film. He was replaced by Gossip Girl star Chace Crawford.

Now, famed HSM director Kenny Ortega has said sayonara to the project, which begins filming in March, due to reported issues about the tone and budget of the dance flick, according to Variety.

This surprising announcment comes less than week before Ortega’s next directing project, the Michael Jackson concert film This Is It, hits theaters for a limited run.

In  new statement to E! News, Paramount Pictures explained,

“Coming off of the extraordinary project, Michael Jackson’s This Is It, director Kenny Ortega has decided it is premature for him to commit to his next film and will not be moving forward with Footloose as previously reported.”

Will you still be checking out Footloose when it hits theatres next year?

Hey there, Ashley Tisdale! Looking pretty Ugg-ly! Delightfully Ugg-ly!

The High School Musical alum hit the streets of Burbank, California, with a pal on Monday, grabbing a bite at Mo’s diner and rocking her Ugg boots in a most fabulous manner.

Click through the photo gallery to take a walk in the Tiz’s shoes.

Zac’s back!

After a disturbingly long absence from this site, Zac Efron resurfaces on the cover of the latest Nylon Guys, looking just as studly as ever.

The former High School Musical star has a lot to say, too—most curiously, on whether it’s really necessary for celebrities to branch out into the music world with their own albums.

Says Zac, 

“If anyone asked themselves that, then we wouldn’t have the crap we are listening to today. If your heart’s not in it, don’t do it. And don’t do it for money. That’s my philosophy.”

A dig at his girlfriend Vanessa Hudgens‘ recent musical ambitions? You decide!

Check out the pics and share your thoughts in the comments section.

Well hello there, Vanessa Hudgens!

The High School Musical star graces the cover of the October 2009 Allure (on newsstands September 22), smiling pretty for photographer Carter Smith.

Hudgie Bear also takes the interview as an opportunity to yet again discuss her nude photo scandals, and the effect they’ve had on her career:

“Whenever anybody asks me, would I do nudity in a film, if I say that it’s something I’m not comfortable with, they’re like, ‘Bullsh*t, you’ve already done it.’ If anything, it makes it more embarrassing, because that was a private thing. It’s screwed up that someone screwed me over like that. At least some people are learning from my mistakes.”

Hey, education can be fun!

Let us know in the comments section: What do you think of Hudgens’ Allure photos?

As you may have heard, a new set of naked pictures of Disney star Vanessa Hudgens hit the internet yesterday morning.

So what’s the deal? Didn’t she learn her lesson the first time?

Apparently, these new pics are definitely old. Maybe even taken before her first set of pictures leaked (which means she’s under 18 in the alleged shots). 

A source tells E! that the pictures are definitely legit. However, she isn’t planning on issuing another statement about these scandalous pictures.

“She learned her lesson,” a source said. “She hasn’t done anything like that since the first ones came out. These new ones are actually old.”

Will Vanessa address the controversy at tonight’s premiere of her new movie Bandslam?
“She’s not going to answer any questions about them there either,” the source said. “She said what she had to say about taking nude photos.”

Have your say in the comments section below: Do you believe that Vanessa really did learn her lesson?