17 Again Press Conference with Zac Efron, Leslie Mann, Matthew Perry, Thomas Lennon, and Michele Trachtenberg
For each of you, when you look back on this film what was your favorite part of filming or just a memory that you’re going to take with you?Thomas Lennon: "I was probably the most impressed, the day that struck me the most was the day that Zac came back. He took one day off to almost die from appendicitis and then came immediately back to work the next day like at 8 am. And that scene is the scene in the courthouse where he reads the letter to Leslie’s character and I just thought, 'Wow, that’s unbelievably impressive,' because he literally came basically from the hospital that night to the set that morning and did that scene, the courthouse scene at the end of the movie. That’s I think so incredibly moving and that’s something that will always stick around with me."
That’s true?
Thomas Lennon: "Yeah."
Zac, you had your appendix out during this as an emergency appendectomy?
Zac Efron: "Yes."
You were at work the next day?
Thomas Lennon: [To Zac] "You took one day off I think."
Zac Efron: "Yeah, something like that."
For Zac and Matt and Tom, did you have the sort of friendship during your school days that's part of this movie?
Thomas Lennon: "I certainly never had as a nerd, as an actual nerd who played the cello, wore a lot of tinted Clearasil on my face and bow ties, I never had the sort of actual Zac Efron-type take me under his wing, which would have been a wonderful experience. I’m sure I would have done better with the ladies. But no, I was mostly flying solo with the cello and the bow ties. I did not have this kind of actual friendship. It would have been nice."
Matthew Perry: "I don’t know if walking around with Zac Efron would have made you do better with the ladies."
Thomas Lennon: "Nah. There’s always some spillover."
Zac Efron: "No. In high school, it wouldn’t have helped you, man. It would not have helped. I had friends from all different cliques, so to speak. I didn’t just stick to one group of friends. I kind of had them in all different areas of high school. So I’m sure I had several of these friendships."
The movie talks about growing up and being mature and embracing what we have right now in life. People tend to scare the young crowd about getting older. What is your perspective on getting older since you’re all from different generations? Is it scary? Is it pleasant?
Michelle Trachtenberg: "I really love it. As a female looking at men, I think men get sexier as they get older, and obviously women are so much more mature so it takes a few years for the men to catch up and that’s really cool. I love getting older. In fact, my sister is always yelling at me like, 'Oh, now you’re almost 24!' And I’m like, 'Yeah, I’m only 8 months away.' I think it’s really…I don’t know. I wouldn’t want to go back to being younger. Everything that I’ve learned has shaped me as the person I am today. So, I love getting older. I think women age beautifully as well and it’s great the wisdom that you can achieve. It’s so much different from when you were 17."
Matthew Perry: "I’m much happier now than I was when I was that age, so I think things get better. I think it has to do with not taking everything so seriously. I think you just get a little lighter as you get older. I think it sort of takes care of itself. I think it just keeps getting better."
Leslie Mann: "I think it gets way better and I think you start to learn who you really are and get comfortable in your own skin. If you have children, you stop thinking about yourself so much and gain perspective and I think it’s just like more confidence. It’s just way better."
Zac Efron: "I cannot wait to grow up! [Laughing] Apparently it’s just getting exciting."
Thomas Lennon: "You won’t fit into those jeans anymore. That’s the bummer part."
Do you mean to grow up on screen or grow up in real life?
Zac Efron: "No, I was being sarcastic. I think I’m having fun right now. Whatever this age is, I’m thoroughly enjoying it. I think it’s getting better so hopefully I’ll have the same answer."
