Zac Efron is grieving the loss of a dear friend.
Nearly two weeks after Matthew Perry's sudden passing, Efron—who starred alongside Perry in the 2009 movie 17 Again—is opening up about his costar, sharing he was touched to learn that the Friends alum wanted him to play a younger version of himself in a biopic.
"I was hugely honored," Efron told Extra Nov. 8. "It would be extraordinary to do and, of course, I'm still really devastated by the fact that he's gone."
Perry died in an apparent drowning at his Los Angeles home on Oct. 28, his rep and a law enforcement source confirmed to NBC News. He was 54.
Further details on his cause of death have been deferred, authorities confirmed to the outlet the following day, pending the results of a toxicology report.
Days after his death, model Athenna Crosby—one of the last people to speak to the actor—shared insight into the plans he had for the future. As she noted, Perry was "enthusiastic" about making a biopic based on his life, which he planned to ask Efron to star in.
"He was just looking forward to sharing more about his story and his recovery from addiction, and really championing that cause to help more people," she told Entertainment Tonight Nov. 1, "so he was so optimistic and happy about everything that he wanted to do."
Crosby also paid tribute to the Whole Nine Yards star on social media, sharing that he was in "extremely good spirits."
"He was so happy & vibrant," she wrote on her Instagram Stories Oct. 31. "Please refrain from any speculation surrounding his death and know that the man was on a comeback and truly deserved more time on this earth. Our entertainment industry has truly lost a legend."
Keep reading for more celeb tributes dedicated to the Friends star.