17 Again (2009)
Where to Watch
- Before Zac Efron was cast, several major A-list stars turned down the lead role because they felt the script was too risky.
- During the filming of 17 Again, Zac Efron improvised one of the most famous lines in the movie.
- Eagle-eyed viewers have noticed a hidden easter egg referencing Burr Steers's previous film in the background of the opening scene.
17 Again is a 2009 American fantasy comedy directed by Burr Steers. Matthew Perry stars as Mike O'Donnell, a man whose life didn't turn out as planned โ he's stuck in a dead-end job, his wife is divorcing him, and his teenage children don't respect him. When Mike is magically transformed back into his 17-year-old self, played by Zac Efron, he enrolls in his children's high school hoping to relive his glory days and fix the moment where his life went wrong.
The comedy arose from the inversion of the typical teen movie โ Zac Efron's "Mike" is actually a 37-year-old man dispensing adult wisdom in a teenager's body, and his horrified discovery that his son is bullied and his daughter is dating the school bully gives the transformation genuine emotional purpose. Zac Efron's charm and comedic timing were well-suited to playing a middle-aged man in a young body. 17 Again earned $136 million worldwide on a $20 million budget.





